Osun State Election Petition Tribunal hearing the petition of Governor Gboyega Oyetola against the declaration of Ademola Adeleke as the Governor-elect, has been adjourned till Tuesday, October 4 for the proper commencement of pre-hearing.
The adjournment followed decision by the tribunal to grant INEC, PDP and Adeleke seven days to respond to the pre-hearing form served on them by the tribunal.
The Osun State high court was filled with supporters of the PDP and APC with security agents on ground to ensure orderliness at the court premises, as the much anticipated hearing of the petition filed by Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress, APC challenging the victory of senator Ademola Adeleke at the July 16th governorship election was set to commence.
But the hearing could not hold as the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Tertsea Kume adjourned the case to October 4th
At the sitting of the tribunal, counsel to the All Progressives Congress ,APC, Professor Kayode Olatoke, had informed the court of his readiness to continue with pre-hearing session, having filed his form TF008, where issues for determination were raised.
On the request of the tribunal for advise, Olatoke suggested that the matter should be put on hold for a few hours for respondents to also respond to the tribunal pre-hearing form.
However, Counsel to INEC, Ben Ananaba said the pre-hearing should not go on because he was just served the pre-hearing form this Monday, saying statutorily, they have seven days to respond.
Also, Counsel to Adeleke, Bamidele Abolarin and counsel representing PDP, Nathaniel Oke (SAN) requested the tribunal to give them the required seven days to respond.
In his ruling, Chairman of the tribunal Justice Tertsea Kume adjourned the matter till Tuesday, October 4 for the commencement of hearing proper
Addressing journalists after the sitting, Counsels to both parties agreed that the adjournment was not out of place, but the tribunal has the power to abridge the days required for any of the parties to respond
Governor Gboyega Oyetola had earlier requested that the Tribunal sitting be moved to Abuja, citing security reasons, a request which was rejected by the president of the Appeal Court.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
