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.
