From: Tony Osauzo, Benin-City
The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal will , on Friday, deliver judgement in the petition filed before it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, challenging the declaration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the winner of the September 28, 2016 gubernatorial election in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki and All Progressives Congress (APC) are listed as First, Second and Third Respondents, respectively, in the petition.
The three-man Tribunal, headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi, after hearing the case between January 7, and April 3, when counsels to the parties in the petition addressed it (Tribunal), on Wednesday, informed parties in the case of its readiness to deliver judgement in the case.
The petitioners are being represented in the case by Yusuf Alli (SAN) who is leading legal luminaries such as Roland Otaru (SAN), Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Kemi Pinhero (SAN), Ferdinando Orbih (SAN) amongst others, while Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), is leading A.B. Mahmoud (SAN), H.M. Liman (SAN), Ahmed Raji (SAN) and Onyinye Anumonye amongst other lawyers in defence of the INEC.
The legal team of the second respondent, Godwin Obaseki, is headed by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who leading Ken Mozia (SAN), Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), A.J. Owonikoko (SAN), amongst others, while the legal team of the third respondent, APC, is headed by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who is Ricky Tarfa, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Rotimi Ogunesan (SAN), Dr J.O. Olatoke (SAN) and others.
During their addresses, the Lead Counsel to the parties laboured hard to convince the tribunal why their arguments should prevail.
Today’s judgement will determine the party whose material evidence and point of law swayed the tribunal.