Tribunal Rejects Ogboru’s Application for Inspection of Electoral Materials

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ogboruDelta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has rejected an exparte application by Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party (LP), asking for an order for inspection of electoral materials used during the last governorship election in the state, in which the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner.

Rejecting the motion in a ruling, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Nasiru Gummi held that since the application touched on vital election materials, all parties to the case ought to have been served and put on notice.

The tribunal therefore directed Chief Ogboru to come before the tribunal with a proper application and put all parties on notice to enable them respond.

Earlier, counsel to Chief Ogboru and Labour Party, Mr. Dele Adesina represented by Barrister Emuakperuo had informed the court that he had two applications including the exparte application seeking order of the court to inspection election materials.

However, while responding, counsel to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Alex Iziyon, Timothy Kehinde and Onyinye Anumoye respectively did not oppose the application but asked for joint inspection of the materials.

Due to the request of the respondents that they be joined in the inspection, the tribunal therefore rejected the application of the petitioner and directed him to come before the tribunal with a proper motion and serve all parties as it touches on vital election materials.

Meanwhile, The tribunal during the sitting also heard the petition of Chief O’tega Emerhor of All Progressive Congress (APC) challenging the election of the state, Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa  of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Counsels to the respondents as mentioned above had informed the court that the petitioner had failed to fill forms TF007 and TF008 and as a result, the petition remained abandoned and incompetent.

However, the tribunal ruled in favour of the petitioner that it has powers to grant application that will help in the trial of the case.

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