Tribunal: Agbaje To Inspect Lagos Election Material

The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition
Tribunal sitting in Ikeja today granted leave to Mr
Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), to inspect all polling documents and
devices used in the conduct of the April 11
gubernatorial elections in the state.

The three-man tribunal led by Justice
Muhammad Sirajo, gave the order while ruling on
a motion ex-parte filed by Agbaje’s counsel, Mr
Clement Onwuenmunor.

The tribunal also ordered the Independent
Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide Certified
True Copies of all polling documents including
printed data in each polling units from the card
reader machines.

But the tribunal rejected Agbaje’s request to
inspect the polling documents and devices used
in the conduct of the March 28 Presidential
Election in Lagos State.

Sirajo noted that the tribunal was set up solely to
hear and determine the petition relating to
governorship election, adding that the tribunal
does not have the jurisdiction to make such an
order.

The tribunal also rejected Agbaje’s Freedom of
Information request asking the tribunal to order
INEC to produce all polling documents, and card
reader machines used for the governorship
election.

He said notices would be sent to parties for pre-
hearing conference.

It will be recalled that Agbaje lost the election to
Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) who was declared winner by
INEC.

He had dragged both INEC and Ambode before
the tribunal alleging some irregularities were
observed during the election which contravened
the provisions of INEC and approved guidelines
for the election.