Adebutu calls 88th witness against Gov Abiodun, APC

A total of 88 witnesses have appeared before the Ogun State election petition tribunal to give evidence in the petition between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adebutu, in the petition marked EPT/OG/GOV/03/2023, is challenging the March 18 governorship election, which returned Abiodun as the winner.

Adebutu’s lawyer, Chris Uche, called five more witnesses on Monday, making it a total of 88 witnesses who have testified before the tribunal.

According to report, Balogun Mujida Ewaoluwa, Balogun Rahman, Gafar Babatunde, Oyinlola Abiodun Osinowo, and Oluwafunmilayo Agiri were the witnesses cross-examined on Monday.

They were cross-examined by Remi Olatubora for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Taiwo Osipitan for Gov Abiodun, and Afolabi Fashanu for APC.

In their testimonies, the witnesses said there was disruption of the election in their respective polling units by thugs.

Ewaoluwa from Odo Sakila in Remo North Local Government told the tribunal that voting and sorting of ballot papers had been concluded before the hoodlums struck.

The witness, who identified herself as a 300-level student at the University of Ibadan, told the tribunal that she is not a member of the PDP, but she volunteered to testify because her vote did not count.

Meanwhile, Uche has assured the tribunal that the petitioners will close their case this week, barely three weeks after the hearing began.

The senior advocate told the tribunal that the Justice Hamidu Kunaza-led panel has received the highest number of witnesses so far if compared to the records of the Presidential Tribunal and other governorship election courts across the country.

“My Lords have taken the highest number of witnesses and still looking fresh,” Uche said humorously.

The tribunal adjourned until Tuesday for the continuation of the hearing.