Fayemi closes defence before governorship tribunal

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, on Thursday closed his defence before the state’s governorship election petition tribunal sitting at the federal high court in Abuja.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Olusola Kolapo, had filed the petition before the tribunal, challenging the declaration of Fayemi as the winner of the July 14 election.

The petitioners had alleged that Fayemi’s victory was as a result of vote buying, wide spread rigging, malpractices and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials favoured him during the election.

They prayed the tribunal to declare the PDP candidate as winner of the election.

During the sitting, Lateeef Fagbemi, counsel to Fayemi, informed the three-man tribunal that the third respondent was closing his case.

Fagbemi said having reviewed the case, the third respondent found it unnecessary to call any further witnesses to prove his case.

Adunmo Sunday, one of the witnesses, had on Monday, told the tribunal that contrary to the allegations of bias, violence, vote buying and malpractices by the petitioners, the election was devoid of rancour and violence.

The other witnesses also maintained that the election was free, fair and credible.

Following the closure of the third respondent’s defence, parties involved agreed that the three respondents shall have three days to file their final written addresses, while petitioners shall have five days to file theirs.

It was further agreed that the respondents shall have another three days to reply on point of law.

Suleiman Belgore, chairman of the tribunal, expressed appreciation to all parties involved for their cooperation.

The tribunal was adjourned till January 9, 2019, for adoption of final written addresses of parties in the petition.