Ondo poll: More troubles for Jegede as judge withdraws from case

The panel of judges to hear the case of Eyitayo Jegede, factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state, has pulled out of the case over bribery allegations.

Jegede had gone to the appeal court to challenge the federal high court ruling, which asked the Independent to recognise Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate in the November 26 election.

INEC complied with the order, but Jegede expressed optimism that the appellate court would upturn the ruling.

On Saturday, Jummai Sankey, head of the panel, had said due to urgency of Jegede’s application, the court would hear the matter on Tuesday.

But on Tuesday, Sankey announced the decision of the judges to pull out of the case.

She said Biyi Okporoye, chairman of the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP in Ondo, had written a petition, accusing them of taking bribe.

Sankey said they only got to know of the petition addressed to Zainab Bulkachuwa, president of the court of appeal, on Monday.

Sankey said the petitioner also copied the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

She said the case had been handed back to Bulkachuwa for re-assignment.

Jegede is of the Ahmed Makarfi group.

The court had earlier said it would hear an application, which the Makarfi group filed to challenge the ruling which declared it illegal.