The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal, located in Lokoja, has granted legal representation to Muritala Ajaka, the first applicant in the recently concluded governorship election. The court’s ruling requires the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the petition’s first respondent, to grant access to all materials and documents utilised in the conduct of the state’s eleventh gubernatorial election.
The decision was made in response to an application submitted by S.E. Aruwa, SAN, who claimed that he was unable to obtain certain documents—primarily 42 items—that were necessary to continue his case.
Aruwa claims that all attempts to obtain these documents at the INEC offices in Lokoja and Abuja had failed, necessitating the Tribunal’s order to continue the matter.
According to Justice Yusuf Ado Birnin-Kudu, the Presiding Tribunal Judge, the case is meritorious in compliance with the Electoral Law 2023 and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999, as amended constitution.
He approved the request that the first respondent INEC give Muritala Ajaka of the SDP, under the direction of John Adele, SAN, and SE Aruwa, SAN, access by counsel to the certified copies utilised for the gubernatorial election in a matter of two days.
The tribunal chairman granted John Adele SAN’s requests, thereby requiring INEC to provide access to BVAS and other electronic materials used within 48 hours.
Lead Counsel for Muritala Ajaka and SDP, John Adele SAN, expressed optimism that INEC will abide by the Tribunal’s decision after the ruling.
