Oyo Governorship Election Tribunal: Chairman’s retirement stalls sitting

The retirement of Justice F. C. Obieze, the Chairman of the Oyo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, on Tuesday stalled hearing in the petition filed against Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Chief Rashidi Ladoja of the Accord Party and former governor had challenged the declaration of Ajimobi, the All Progressives Congress flag bearer, as the winner of the April 11 poll.

Also joined in the petition are the APC, Dr. Rufus Akeju, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, and INEC.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Obieze had before his retirement on June 18 fixed June 23 for the commencement of the pre-hearing session.

At the resumed hearing of the case, Justice Muhammed Karaye, a member of the three-man panel, informed parties in the case that the pre-hearing session could not begin as scheduled.

He cited the chairman’s retirement after attaining 65 years.

Karaye said the tribunal could not proceed with the case without a chairman, adding that he was informed that a new chairman had been appointed and might reports in Ibadan on Friday.

The judge thereafter adjourned the case to June 29 for the pre-hearing session.

Addressing journalists later, Richard Ogunwole, counsel to Ladoja and the Accord Party, said he was very happy that the chairman of the tribunal retired before the commencement of the case.

Ogunwole said if the hearing had commenced and the chairmen retired midway it would have caused a setback for the petition.

NAN also reports that Wole Olanipekun (SAN) is representing Ajimobi, while Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is counsel to the APC.

INEC has as its counsel Adeboye Sobanjo.

NAN.