Posted by By MUYIWA OYINLOLA and JESSICA EMERUWA on
The National Assembly election tribunal hearing the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) candidate for the Lagos Island Federal constituency II, Lagos State, Saheed Kekere-Ekun will deliver its judgement tomorrow, December 16.
The National Assembly election tribunal hearing the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) candidate for the Lagos Island Federal constituency II, Lagos State, Saheed Kekere-Ekun will deliver its judgement tomorrow, December 16.
The Head of the panel, Justice P. Damulak made this known on Tuesday, after listening to the final submission of counsels to both the petitioner and the respondents.
Kekere-Ekun is challenging the election of the Action Congress, (AC) candidate at the polls, Monsuru Owolabi, over an alleged forgery of the certificates, which purportedly qualified him for the election.
Kekere-Ekun, according to the petition submitted to the tribunal, and argued by his lawyer, Barrister Babatunde Fashanu, had alleged that Owolabi submitted forged age declaration and school leaving certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).
He therefore prayed the tribunal to declare the election invalid by reason of alleged corrupt practice and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2006.
He added that as a result, Owolabi was not qualified to contest the election, even as he argued that the respondent was not duly elected by majority of the electorate, who voted during the exercise.
However, counsel to the respondent, Prof. Taiwo Oshipitan, (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome argued that the allegations brought against their client were baseless and lacking in substance.
They therefore asked that the petition be dismissed.