Tribunals penalise AC over adjornments

Tunde Oyekola, Osogbo. - 30.11.2007

The two election petition tribunals in Osun State on Thursday in separate rulings penalised the Action Congress (AC) for delaying proceedings in its cases.

While the first panel, headed by Mr. Justice Thomas Naron, closed one of AC’s House of Representatives cases, the other panel, headed by Mr. Justice Hamman Barka, fined the AC N30,000 for seeking an unnecessary adjournment.

In the first matter before the Justice Naron-led panel, counsel for the AC, Mr. S.O Jimoh, informed the tribunal that the chambers of Niyi Akintola (SAN) had just taken over the matter and needed time to familiarise itself with the case.

The court, however, agreed to step down the case for about one hour for the counsel to do what he wanted and prepare his witnesses.

When the matter was called later, the counsel informed the court that he had only three witnesses in court and consequently commenced leading them in evidence.

However, it was discovered that the first witness, Atoyebi Razaq, from Ifelodun Local Government Area, did not swear to the affidavit filed with the petition. He was, however, allowed to go on with his evidence and was cross-examined.

It was also discovered that the second witness, Olatunji Adeboye, from Ward 2, Boripe Local Government Area, did not sign his affidavit filed with the petition in May this year and was, therefore, rejected as a witness.