As panel begins hearing Monday
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Appeal Court in Abuja has rejected Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s request to relocate the sitting of the Tribunal to Abuja.
The Chief Registrar Court of Appeal, Bangari Umar in a letter titled: RE: Petition No. EPT/OS/GOV/01/2022, Adeboyega Isiaka Oyetola & Anor V. Independent National Electoral Commission & 2 ors, on Friday, rejected the proposal of Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the July 16 governorship election.
According to the letter, Oyetola on August 23, 2022, wrote the President of the Court, Justice M. B. Dongban Mensem of Appeal on the subject matter.
The letter, dated September 21 and addressed to Prince Lateef O. Fagbemi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, one of the counsels to Oyetola, was signed by Umar.
Oyetola, through his counsel had claimed that Osun was not safe for such sitting and prayed the Appeal Court President to relocate the Tribunal sitting to the Federal Capital Territory.
But the Court of Appeal noted that it had considered Oyetola’s request, and after consultations, the President of the court was unable to accede to the proposal as the security agencies in the state had assured the court of their co-operation and support in enhancing the security of the Tribunal and its sittings.
The letter obtained by The Point read, “Kindly refer to your letter to the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal, dated 23rd August, 2022 on the above subject matter.
“I am directed by the Honourable President, Hon. Justice M.B Dongban Mensem to inform you that after due consultation on, and consideration of your request to move the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal currently sitting in Osogbo to Abuja, the Hon. President is unable to accede to your request as the Security Agencies in the State have assured the Court of their co-operation and support in enhancing the security of the Tribunal and its sittings
“Please accept the assurances of the Hon. President’s best wishes.”
Meanwhile, the Tribunal panel would commence sitting on the governor’s petition on Monday.
This was disclosed by the Secretary of the panel, David Umar during a telephone chat with The Point on Friday.
