The Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal has granted leave to the All Progressives Congress, APC, to inspect INEC documents and other forms used for the conduct of the June 18, Governorship election in Ekiti State.
Earlier, Kabir Akingbolu, holding the brief of Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, brought a motion exparte in pursuant to Section 6(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Section 47(1) of the first schedule of the Electoral Act, Section 146(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honourable tribunal.
“An order granting leave to the 2nd respondent/applicant to move the applicant outside the pre-hearing session”
“An order of the tribunal permitting the applicant or its agents for the purpose of defending the petition, to take certified copies and conduct manual/physical inspection of all electoral materials used in the conduct of the Governorship election into the office of the Governorship of Ekiti State held on 18th June, 2022, in all the 16 local governments areas of Ekiti State”
“An order directing the 4th respondent and any other agents of the 4th respondent to allow the applicant and/or its counsel to inspect and if deemed necessary make/procure certified true copies of the BVAS, accredited voters, print-outs, scanned and transmitted documents, among others.
In his ruling, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Wilfred I. Kpochi, granted the prayers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who is the 2nd respondent/applicant in the suit.
Justice Kpochi while granting the ex-parte motion, said it is germane for the applicant to defend the petition. Also, the oral application by Akingbolu, as prayed at the tribunal was granted.
The tribunal urged the 4th respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to grant APC access to inspect all documents and materials used for the conduct of the Ekiti Governorship election on June 18.
It will be recalled that the Social Democratic Party, SDP, candidate, Chief Segun Oni, dragged the APC candidate, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who won the June 18 Ekiti Governorship to the tribunal.
