Ondo Tribunal: ACN presents more witnesses

More witnesses appeared at the Ondo state Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital today for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its governorship candidate Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)

ACN and Akeredolu were contesting the result of last governorship election in the state declared in favour of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on the platform o

f the Labour Party (LP)

The witnesses were led in evidence by ACN counsel, Lasun Sanusi (SAN) and cross-examined by respondent’s counsel Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Chukwuma Ekuomaro (SAN) and Ozaze Uzzi (SAN).

During cross-examination, Adewale Oketade who is from Gberinlegi unit, ward 8 in Ile-Oluji/Oke-igbo local government gave evidence of over-voting

Besides, he alleged that the former caretaker chairman in the local government Mr. Niran Akinniyi hosted INEC officers and some police officers in his residence before they resumed at their respective polling units on the day of the election.

Another witness, Pa Samson Fadoye (70 years) claimed in Alarere unit, ward 10 Ile-oluji, stressing that votes declared by the electoral body in that unit are not valid.

In Akoko south East, Isua, a witness, Prince Timothy Korede alleged that voters list was inflated with 3,077 voters.

According to him, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mr. Akin Orebiyi had during the stakeholders meeting in Akure explained that 2011 voters register would be used for the October 20, 2012 election, but noted that strange names and photographs were found in voters register in the local government.

Another witness, Akinyemi John said voters register used in St. Joseph Maternity Unit 5 in Isua-Akoko was inflated.

He added that the register contained new names and photographs of about 2,400 voters which were not in the authentic voter’s register

In Akure South ACN witness, Fasua Raphael Banji gave evidence that voter’s register in ward 10 was also inflated by strange and new names stressing that the list was not contained in the 2011 voters register.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nine witnesses of the ACN have testified before the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal after taking oath before the court were examined by the counsel to ACN and its candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Lasun Sanusi (SAN)

They all identified and adopted their written statements on oath they swore to last year after which the respondents counsel cross-examined the witnesses as ordered by the tribunal chairman Justice Andovar Kaka’n

During the cross-examination, witnesses were asked questions bordering on their written statements by the counsel to Labour Party (LP) John Bayesea (SAN) and that of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Adebayo Adelodun and INEC, Osaze Uzzi

A witness, Ogunlade Oluwole who voted at Unit 009, Alayere ward in Akure North local government during the October 20, 2012 poll alleged inflation of votes in some polling booths in the ward

He told the Tribunal that election in the area was marred by irregularities as party agent of ACN were chased out by LP party thugs

Another witness, Mrs. Folake Adebayo who claimed to have served as polling officer at Owaoni unit 001 in Ose LG said she was denied the signing of form EC8A by INEC officials because of her refusal to induce them with what the called “Entertainment Largesse”

As at press time, more witnesses were still appearing before the Tribunal to give evidence.