Kogi Guber : Tribunal orders INEC to allow SDP, lawyers access to sensitive materials.

By Idris Ahmed

The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to allow the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, access to materials and all other documents used in the conduct of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the State.

The tribunal which began sitting in Lokoja on Saturday, gave the order while ruling in an application brought by Counsel to Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, the governorship candidate of SDP in the election.

Counsel to Ajaka and SDP, S.E Aruwa SAN, had complained to the tribunal about the inability of his Clients to have access to sensitive materials and other relevant documents used in the conduct of the election which are necessary for the prosecution of the case before the election tribunal.

According to Aruwa SAN, all efforts to access the documents both at INEC office in Abuja and Lokoja proved abortive , hence the request for an order of the tribunal.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Yusuf Ado Birnin-Kudu, in his ruling said the application is meritorious and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the Electoral Act 2022.

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He therefore granted the application that the first Respondent INEC should allow unhindered access to the documents and other materials so requested within 48 hours to the Counsels and the Clients, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka and the SDP.

The Tribunal also granted the prayers of John Adele SAN, to compel INEC to also within 48 hours allow access to BVAS and other electronic materials used during the November Governorship election in Kogi state.

Speaking after the inaugural sitting , the Counsel to Murtala Yakubu Ajaka and SDP, John Adele, SAN expressed optimism that INEC will comply within the stipulated time from the day of the ruling by the Tribunal.