5th May, 2015
Henry Ojelu
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.