Tribunal: Adebutu, PDP call pastor, cloth seller, others as witnesses

The Peoples Democratic and its governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, have called 56 witnesses including a cleric that testified against the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, at the election petition tribunal.

Adebutu and the PDP on Monday called additional six witnesses to prove his allegation of irregularities at the poll which Abiodun won.

The lawyer to the petitioners, Gordy Uche, informed the tribunal that he would call 65 more witnesses who were voters, party agents and members of the opposition party.

The witnesses were a 67-year-old pastor, Olorunwa Tunwase; a clothes seller, Kushimo Olamide; a trader Asimolowo Abike; Balogun Muhammed; Mulikat Akorede and a photographer, Thomas Abiodun.

The witnesses were from Ogun Waterside, Ado-Odo/Ota, and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas of the state.

The witnesses while being cross-examined told the tribunal that thugs invaded their polling units, and disrupted voting and counting of votes on the day.

They were cross-examined by counsel representing the Independent National Electoral Commission, Remi Olatubora (SAN); Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), who appeared for Abiodun, and Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) who represented the APC.

In his evidence, the clergyman insisted that the election at his polling units was cancelled due to violence.

He said, “I am here to say what happened in my polling units, please don’t pollute my statement. Elections were cancelled in my polling units due to violence.”

The petitioners’ counsel informed the tribunal that more witnesses would be called on Tuesday.

The Hamidu Kunaza-led tribunal adjourned till July 18.