Osun governorship: Appeal court reserves judgment

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has reserved judgment in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, seeking to upturn the decision of the Election Petitions Tribunal that affirmed the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Final arguments on the case on Monday offered the counsel to Omisore, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) and Chief Chris Uche (SAN) the chance to convince the appellate court that the tribunal erred in its judgment and so should set aside the decision.

But counsel to the governor, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) and that of All Progressive Congress, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN(, prayed the court to dismiss the appeal.

At the hearing that lasted for about five hours, Isinyon urged the court to allow the appeal because the tribunal did not make use of the evidence brought before it by the petitioner and the appellant in the matter.

But Olujimi said the court should dismiss the appeal because the appellants did not establish any of the allegations made before the tribunal.

Izinyo stated that the petitioner listed in his evidences 17 local governments of the state where malpractices were established but the tribunal failed to rule on the issue substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act brought before it by the applicant.

But Olujimi, in his submissions, said the court should dismiss the appeal because the appellants did not establish any of the allegations made before the Tribunal.