The Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday 13th September, 2021, heard the Petition filed by our Party and Mrs. Tari Taylaur in respect of the rigged Councillorship election in Ward A, (Lekki/Ikate) Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

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, Chizoba Anyaeji and Emmanuella Fogeh.

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. The Polling Agent for Polling Unit 13, who had testified that voting materials did not arrive until about 3pm. And, voting started at 3:15pm, when most voters had left having waited from about 8am in some cases. He testified that the election venue was moved from Omorinre Johnson Street, off Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1 to Lekki Event Centre. He also tendered a video recording showing irregularities collation of results going on at the Local Government, Igbo-Efon.

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, Mrs. Bolanle Babajide, the Chief Legal Officer of INEC, who was subpoenaed by the Tribunal to tender the register of voters for polling units 014A, 016, 016A, 17, 18, 18A and 19 and further testify on those documents.

Mr. Ogala, SAN argued that the witness was not listed as a witness for the Petitioners and cannot testify for the Petitioners. However, the witness can only tender those documents. The Tribunal upheld his objection and the witness was examined by the Tribunal after which the register of voters for polling units 014A, 016, 016A, 17, 18, 18A and 19 were tendered.

We could not conclude our case as scheduled by Tribunal as the LASIEC Election Returning Officer for the Constituency was absent.

The Matter was consequently adjourned to Thursday, 16th September, 2021, at 12noon, for continuation of hearing.