Our reporter
The hearing of petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Edo State governorship election was adjourned on Monday due to an impending case at the Supreme Court.
The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had initially scheduled the hearing for January 13, 2025, following an earlier adjournment on December 21, 2024. The tribunal had been preparing to hear the pre-hearing and scheduling reports from the parties involved in Benin City, but was informed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had filed a motion requesting the adjournment.
According to Dayo Dahunsi, the Assistant Secretary to the Tribunal, the motion was filed by the first respondent, INEC, and the second respondent, APC, seeking the postponement of the sitting to Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The application was based on the fact that the lead counsel for both INEC and APC would be in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for a matter set for definite hearing.
Dahunsi confirmed that the request for an adjournment applied not only to the current petition but also to other related petitions before the tribunal.
In response, the petitioners’ counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, stated that although the petitioners were prepared to proceed with the trial, they would not oppose the adjournment in the spirit of cooperation. Represented by Oladipo Oshinowo, Mozia noted that the petitioners had only received a copy of the motion seeking the adjournment late, but, in the interest of fairness, they were willing to concede to the respondents’ request.
However, Mozia made it clear that the petitioners expected that, based on this concession, the respondents would not make further adjournment requests in the future.
After considering the request, Justice Kpochi granted the adjournment, rescheduling the hearing of all related petitions to Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
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