Tribunal chides Adebutu’s lawyers for submission error
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, held in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, expressed its disappointment with the presentation made by the Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, citing a glaring error in the manner of its submission before the Tribunal.
Chairman of the Tribunal, Hon. Justice H.N. Kunaza said this during resumption of the tribunal sitting on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, Godwin Uche, SAN, representing the PDP and Oladipupo Adebutu, informed the Tribunal of their readiness to formally commence the trial immediately, stating, “We have filled the list of our scheduled documents before the Panel and have also physically brought all the said documents before it.”
Counsel to the 1st Respondent (INEC), Remi Olatumura, SAN, objected on the point of law. He said it is always imperative for the petitioner to have shown the documents to all the parties before then. insisting that he had not set his eye on the document for authentication.
Kehinde Ogunwunmiju, SAN, representing the 2nd Respondent (Governor Dapo Abiodun), opined that the over 6000 documents ought to have been presented from the bar earlier for the benefit of the parties to view and confirm their validity.
Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, who represented the 3rd Respondent (APC), unequivocally submitted, “We have to look at the documents. The Tribunal has the responsibility to ensure that the needful is done. These are very serious and strategic documents. They should have invited us to come and view.”
In response to the arguments, the Tribunal’s Chairman stated, “We cannot force them to admit documents they have not seen. All of you should look at the documents.”
Consequently, the Tribunal granted the parties two days to thoroughly scrutinize the documents accordingly, as the case was adjourned till Thursday, July 6th, for continuation of the hearing.
