Osun 2022: Counsels agree on method of examination as tribunal adjourns to Oct. 13

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Justice Tertsea Kume-led Osun State Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday adjourned till October 13, the hearing of application by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola against the declaration of Senator Ademola Adeleke as governor-elect. 

Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Alex Izinyon (SAN), had attempted to bring oral application informing the Tribunal of the latest development over the Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the nomination of Oyetola as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the July 16 governorship election.

Earlier during the sitting, Counsel APC, Prof. Lasun Sanusi (SAN), told the court that his response to pre-hearing had been filed and issues had also been formulated for the Tribunal to determine. 

Sanusi told the court that counsels for petitioner and respondents had agreed on the time for examination, cross examination and re-examination of witnesses, with a view to ensuring that the hearing is not unnecessarily prolonged.

He said both parties had agreed that examination of witnesses should take five minutes, cross-examination 10 minutes, re-examination five minutes. expert witnesses’ examination, 15 minutes, cross examination, 20 minute and re-examination, five minutes. 

He also told the tribunal that counsels for the two parties have agreed that the panel should sit on the matter between Monday and Friday, while all pieces of evidence to prove the case should be tendered by consent and in case of any objection, the ruling would be reserved till the final judgement stage.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Ben Ananaba, said six motions were filed before the court which would be taking on the next date of adjournment when the hearing continues.