The Election Petition filed before the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal in respect of the Ward A, (Lekki/Ikate) Eti-Osa Local Government Area Councillorship election came up for hearings earlier today.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu, who represented the lead Counsel Mr. C.A. Candide Johnson, S.A.N., appeared for the Petitioners with Esther Randle, Collins Ede, Abiola Abegunde and Emmanuella Fogeh for the Petitioners.
Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N, with Mr. Ogunleye for APC and Mr. Efe Akpoduvo with Olulogbe Adebayo for Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

Our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur presented 2 Witnesses at the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal today. They were examined by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu and cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N., for APC and Mr. Akpoduvo for Lagos State Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

The 1st Witness, our Party’s agent for polling unit 16A testified that voters came to cast their vote but discovered that election was not ongoing. So many voters waited for the arrival of LASIEC officials but they did not show up and they left the polling unit out of frustration. He found out from a voter that polling unit 16 had been moved to Admiralty Way in Lekki without notifying the electorates. He further testified that he joined a LASIEC official to polling unit 13 at past 3 pm while election started at 3.17 pm. The witness was cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N and Mr. Akpoduvo. The witness was further re-examined by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu.

The 2nd Witness, our party’s agent for polling unit 013 testified that he arrived the election venue at about 6.30 am and waited for the arrival of LASIEC officials, but they did not show up. He further testified that LASIEC officials arrived the election venue at about 2.30 pm and informed the voters that polling unit 13 has been moved to Lekki Event Centre on Admiralty Way while voting started at about 3:00 pm but that there was poor turnout of voters due to the delay and sudden change of location by the LASIEC officials.

The 2nd witness was unable to conclude his testimony due to some technical fault with the recording system.
The matter was consequently adjourned to Monday, 13th September, 2021, for continuation of hearing.

The Tribunal started sitting at about 10:20am.

Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu, who represented the lead Counsel Mr. C.A. Candide-Johnson,S.A.N.,appeared for the Petitioners with Eze Okam, Esther Randle, Chibuike Ifeagwu and Chizoba Anyaeji for the Petitioners.
Mr. Babatunde Ogala S.A.N., for APC and Sadiq Mudashiru(it’s candidate)
Mr. Efe Akpoduvo for Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission(LASIEC).

Our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur presented 5 Witnesses at the Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal today. They were examined by Mr. ‘Wale Irokosu and cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Ogala, S.A.N., for APC and Mr. Akpoduvo for Lagos State Electoral Commission(LASIEC).
One of the Witneseses, our Party’s agent for Polling Unit 16 and 16A testified that the Ward A constituency starts from Lekki Phase 1 and ends at Femi Okunnu Estate and that her polling units were within the constituency. Election took place in the polling units but was never recorded in the final result even though Youth Party won. Also, the Polling units was not on LASIEC’s guildeline.

The 2nd witness, our party’s agent for polling unit 10 in Igbokusu village testified that there was threat and intimidation at the polling unit as party agent for Youth Party’s representation was challenged on the ground that he is not a member of the community.
There was multiple thumb printing and when he started recording the irregularities, members of the APC trailed him and he left the community for his safety before the end of the election.

The third witness, Youth Party’s agent in polling unit 14A in Lekki testified that the election materials brought in his polling unit had Iru/Victoria Island on it.
That after the election, the ballot papers were moved to Iru/Victoria Island LCDA for collation which resulted in disenfranchisement of voters in polling unit 14A as their votes did not count and the result was not recorded in the final result.

The fourth witness, Youth Party’s agent for polling unit 005 in Ikate Land which was located around the palace of Oba of Elegushi testified that several groups of persons who are non Nigerians were brought to vote upon the payment of N3000.
Prince Anofiu Elegushi, Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs was also seen openly disturbing money from the trunk of his car.

The fifth witness, the Youth Party’s agent for polling unit 007 testified that her polling unit was moved from the original location to the Palace of Oba Elegushi of Ikate Land. She was testified that APC mobilized voters with money, food and drinks to ensure they vote for the APC candidate and they also followed voters to the polling booth to ensure they vote for APC candidates.

The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, 8th September 2021, for continuation of Hearing.