The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital has adjourned hearing in Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi’s petition, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging Sheriff Oborevwori’s victory as governor of the state.
Oborevwori, who was the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), was declared the winner of the March 18th 2023 gubernatorial contest in the State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but is being challenged by the former minister of State for Education over illegibility.
A three-member panel of the tribunal headed by Justice C. H Ahuchaogu, on Tuesday June 13th 2023, adjourned the petition until 19th June to enable all parties tidy all applications.
Addressing journalists shortly after adjournment, Gbagi’s lead counsel, Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, said: “There are so many applications by way of motion and that only one out of them was ripe for hearing.
“It means, only one has been responded to out of the several applications that were there.
“So, the tribunal in its wisdom thought it wise that instead of taking the applications in piece mill, the pre-trial should be adjourned to 19th so that by that time, all applications must have been responded to and then they will be taken simultaneously in one sitting.
“And I think that is the wisdom according to them which is also okay by all counsel and we all agreed that we should return to this honourable tribunal by the 19th of June to tidy up all the applications before we commence hearing in this petition.
Asked if he is satisfied with the legal fireworks in the tribunal, the legal luminary hinted: “It is one of the most organized, orderly and peaceful pre-trial.
“The attitudes of the honorable Justices of the tribunal are also very friendly and the atmosphere in the tribunal is also friendly”.
According to him, “Lawyers are cooperating and we are sure that the opportunity will avail itself for us as petitioners to prove our petitions and by the special grace of God, we await the outcome the tribunal” he added.
