The Election Petition Tribunal handling the governorship dispute in Ekiti State has adjourned for a week for petitioners to assemble more witnesses to prosecute their case.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Counsel to the Action Alliance and Social Democratic Party, Dr Chukwudebelu Nnamdi, through an oral application, requested a one-week adjournment to assemble more witnesses and to attend to some pressing legal issues that could fastrack the trial.
The Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Idris Abubakar Kutigi, in his ruling on the oral application, granted the request and said the panel will reconvene on October 15, 2026, to continue hearing the case.
“We are very cognisant of our time, so we plead with INEC to get ready, so that as soon as the petitioners finish presenting witnesses, then the first respondent can start its defence immediately and without delay.
“This application is granted, but we are making it clear that we won’t allow any waste of time as provided by the schedules. Election petition is time bound, and we need to work in line with the provisions of the law.”
In his oral application, Dr Nnamdi said, “My Lords, I had earlier told you about my predicament, which borders on some internal issues in SDP regarding our witnesses. You have seen for yourselves the burdens we had passed through to present witnesses here.
“I humbly request for adjournment till next week Thursday, so that I will be able to attend to some of these issues.”
In their responses, Counsels to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Adetunji Oso (SAN) and the Independent National Electoral Commission, Tunde Salako, didn’t object to the application.
They averred that their favourable dispositions were predicated on the fact that the one-week adjournment is still within the six weeks apportioned by the tribunal for the petitioners to present witnesses in court.
Specifically, Adetunji Oso, SAN, urged the petitioners to be conscious of time, noting that a one-week adjournment should be sufficient to put their house in order.
“With this one week, they will now have sufficient time to make up their minds and do the right thing. Again, it is still within the six weeks given for them to prosecute their case.”
Before the ruling, the counsel to the petitioners called an SDP witness, Lawrence Ogunbanwo, to testify in court.
While being cross examined, the witness said he voted on election day at polling unit 10, Agbado/Oyo Ward in Ikere Ekiti without inducement or interference and that he was duly accredited by INEC officials.
Ekiti Tribunal adjourns sitting for one week, to resume October 15