Appeal Court reserves judgement in Kogi governorship election dispute

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday reserved its judgement in the appeal filed by Muritala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, contesting the May 27, 2024, ruling of the state election petition tribunal.

The off-cycle governorship election in Kogi State, held on November 11, 2023, resulted in the victory of Usman Ododo from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ajaka, the runner-up, challenged the outcome.

Previously, a three-member tribunal had upheld Ododo’s win, dismissing Ajaka’s claims of over-voting and violations of the Electoral Act of 2022 due to insufficient evidence. The tribunal also found the witness testimonies inconsistent and flawed.

READ ALSO :Yahaya Bello’s nephew : Access Bank opens up on Kogi govt’s bank transactions

Joseph Daudu, representing the state governor at the appeal, argued that the appellants’ failure to pre-submit their witness statement rendered the evidence inadmissible. He maintained that the tribunal was correct in excluding the testimony of the appellants’ first witness (PW1) and dismissing allegations of over-voting, as the petitioners could not substantiate their claims.

Daudu further contended that allegations of forgery against his client were pre-election matters already resolved by the Supreme Court in a different case. He requested the court dismiss the appeal and uphold Ododo’s election victory.

APC’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, echoed this sentiment, calling for the dismissal of the petition as incompetent.

Ajaka’s attorney, Pius Akubo, urged the appellate court to overturn the tribunal’s judgment and declare Ajaka the rightful winner of the November 11, 2023, election. The appeal, based on 31 grounds, argued that the tribunal’s decision was a grave miscarriage of justice. Akubo also requested the dismissal of the respondents’ cross-appeal, which sought to reject Ajaka’s petition.

The Court of Appeal has reserved its ruling on the matter.