judgement reserved, date to be communicated to counsels involved
The Kogi State National Assembly Elections Petition tribunal on Tuesday reserved judgment on the petition filed by Dino Melaye challenging inec’s declaration of Sen Smart Adeyemi as winner of the election.
By the petition, Melaye is challenging the declaration of Senator Smart Adeyemi as the winner of the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Adeyemi as the winner of the November 16/30, 2019 Senatorial rerun election following which Melaye approached the election tribunal to challenge the results of the election.
The three-member panel of the tribunal led by Justice Sambo, however, reserved the judgement after the parties had adopted their final written addresses.
Adopting the address, Prof Egbewole asked the court to grants his prayers and declare Melaye as winner based on the evidences that the petitioners had the majority of lawful vote with 46,649 votes against INEC and APC which hold 43,543 votes.
Prof. Egbewole however submitted that their prayers should be considered, declaring Melaye the true winner of the election after scoring the highest lawful votes.
Counsels for both Smart Adeyemi, INEC and APC in one voice asked that the petition be dismissed.
It could be recalled that the 3 respondents, Senator Smart Adeyemi, INEC and APC failed to present any witness in court to substantiate their submissions but only prayed to draw their evidences from the witness reports by the Petitioner’s witnesses.
The tribunal, after listening to the adopted final briefs of arguments, reserved judgement, saying counsels involved will be communicated