Ogun election: Appeal Court reserves judgment

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan Thursday reserved judgment in an appeal filed by Hon. Kolapo Osunsanya of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the September 9 verdict of the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Recall that Barrister Taiwo Shote, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, had dragged Osunsanya before the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the February 23 National Assembly election in the constituency. 

It was reported that the Honourable Justice Wakkil Alkali  Gana-led election petition tribunal cancelled elections in Ward 5, Unit 5 in Ijebu Ode LGA; Ward 10, Unit 3 in Odogbolu LGA and the entire Ward 8 in Ijebu North East LGA in the Federal Constituency, ordering a rerun in the affected areas.  

However, Osunsanya has since filed an appeal against the judgement, asking the Appeal Court to upturn the decision of the lower tribunal. 

In the same vein, Shote also filed a counter-appeal, praying the court to nullify the entire election in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency and order a rerun; "having found that there were irregularities in the conduct of the election".

Meanwhile, three-man panel, led by Honourable Justice Jimi Bada of the appellate court reserved judgment after hearing from counsels to Shote and Osunsanya.

The Justice Bada-led panel said judgement would be delivered on a date to be communicated to parties.