Tribunal begins hearing today on Agbaje’s petition on may 26, 2015

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe
The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will
today commences hearing in the petition filed by Peoples
Democratic Party’s (PDP) Mr Jimi Agbaje challenging the
victory of the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate, Mr.
Akinwumi Ambode at the last gubernatorial election.
According to the Registrar of the Tribunal presided by
Justice Muhammad Sirajo, the date was fixed after notices
of hearing were sent to all parties involved in the dispute.
Witnesses are expected to appear before the tribunal with
their evidences on how the election was allegedly
manipulated in favour of the APC candidate.
The PDP gubernatorial candidate, Agbaje had contested the
victory of Ambode as the winner of the April 11,
gubernatorial election, while praying the Tribunal to grant
him access to inspect materials used for the election.
The candidate had alleged that the conduct of the poll was
marred with some irregularities, which contravened the
provisions of the Independent National Electoral
Commission’s (INEC) approved guidelines and statutes.
Joined as respondents in the petition are INEC, APC and the
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State.
On Agbaje’s request, the tribunal granted him leave to
inspect all polling documents and devices used in the
conduct of the election, as well as granting an order
directing INEC to provide Certified True Copies of all polling
documents, including printed data in each polling unit, from
the card reader machines.
However, it rejected the request to inspect the polling
documents and devices used in the conduct of the March 28
Presidential Election in Lagos State.
The tribunal also rejected Agbaje’s Freedom of Information,
(FOI) request asking the tribunal to order INEC to produce
all polling documents and card reader machines used for the
governorship election.
According to the panel, the petitioner can request for
materials and documents he deems necessary to his case,
by way of subpoena, when the tribunal has fully commenced
proceedings.