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Tag: Ladoja

  • ‘Ladoja’s petition, an exercise in futility’

    ‘Ladoja’s petition, an exercise in futility’

    •Verdict expected next week

    A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Prof Joseph Olowofela, has described as “an exercise in futility” the petition filed by Accord governorship candidate Rashidi Ladoja against the victory of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Olowofela, in an interview yesterday, said the party’s action was a legal exercise.

    He opined that Accord could have earned more honour and glory if it had accepted defeat and congratulated the winner.

    The professor of Physics explained that Ladoja was afraid of losing his followers.

    He said: “If what is going on in court is something to go by, then I will say that Accord is pursuing an exercise in futility.

    “If you accuse someone you have the moral burden to prove or establish your case.

    “So that means that the statement of your witnesses must be very solid. Ajimobi will come out victorious. APC won that election.”

    The APC chieftain said the two areas contested in the tribunal are Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso.

    “In Ogbomoso, there was an election and it was free and fair.

    “Labour Party won in the area and yet the party was not joined in the petition.

    “When you consider Oke Ogun, the APC won.

    “It is general knowledge that the election in Oke Ogun was peaceful, free and fair.

    “Nobody has come forward to say there was no election, there was election, it was credible, free and fair.”

     

  • Poverty responsible for corruption, says Ladoja

    Poverty responsible for corruption, says Ladoja

    Former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja has blamed the insecurity and corruption in Nigeria on poverty.

    Ladoja said leaders would continue to steal, if the masses kept quiet.

    He spoke yesterday at his Bodija home after the Sallah prayer, advising security and anti-graft agencies to rise up to their duties.

    According to Ladoja, government at all levels should ensure that all Nigerians live above poverty level, “if we are truly serious about corruption”.

    “All we need to know is that there is abject poverty in the land and to avoid the trend, is for government to ensure that people live well.

    “Salaries of workers are not being paid as at when due. Corruption and kidnapping are the outcome of the economic crisis facing the nation today.

    “There is need for the government to make the masses feel the impact of the change in the land. What the masses should do is to carry out their own programmes rather than talking on the ills of the past administrations.

    “The masses should also be blamed because they encouraging leaders to steal because they know they will get something from the stolen funds.”

  • Ladoja fails to stop Ajimobi’s star witness at tribunal

    Ladoja fails to stop Ajimobi’s star witness at tribunal

    Accord and its Oyo State governorship candidate Senator Rashidi Ladoja yesterday made a failed attempt to stop a key witness of Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the  hearing of a petition over the April 11 election.

    Ladoja and Accord are challenging Ajimobi’s election before the Justice Aliyu Maiyaki-led tribunal sitting in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC are co-respondents.

    Ajimobi opened his defence yesterday with his counsel, Mr. Olumuyiwa Aduroja (SAN), inviting the immediate past caretaker chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Mr. Wasiu Olatubosun, who doubled as the APC’s State Collation Agent in the election.

    But Chief Bayo Lawal – who stood in for the petitioners’ lead counsel – vehemently opposed it.

    He told the tribunal that Olatubosun’s written statement, as presented to him, was neither signed nor dated and therefore, he was not eligible to be admitted into the witness box.

    But counsel to the first and second respondents, Olumuyiwa Aduroja (SAN) and Bamidele Aiku (SAN), countered Lawal by stating that their witness was qualified to give evidence.

    The issue was later resolved by the tribunal chairman, who after consultation with the tribunal registry, affirmed that Olatubosun had his statement signed and dated.

    Consequently, Olatubosun stated during cross-examination by the counsel to the third and fourth respondents that the April 11, 2015 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state were conducted by INEC to reflect free, fair and credible outcomes.

    His statement was supported by three other witnesses – Aderemi Adebayo (Lagelu), Adewale Akande (Saki East) and Mr. Waheed Ajibade – who testified that the APC candidate won.

    Adebayo told the tribunal that he was surprised that Accord could challenge the results from his domain, where, he said, its candidate had won with a margin of 501 votes.

    He, however, averred that the APC had accepted the results from Lagelu in good faith.

    The four witnesses were cross-examined by the petitioners’ counsel, and counsel to first, second, third and fourth respondents, Olumuyiwa Aduroja, (SAN), Babatunde Aiku (SAN) and Yusuf Ali (SAN).

    Ajimobi had entered a crucial stage of cross-examination of witnesses by counsel to both the petitioners and the respondents.

    Hearing resumed yesterday following completion of the annual national conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja with majority of the counsel to both parties as participants.

  • Ladoja fails to stop Ajimobi’s star witness at tribunal

    Ladoja fails to stop Ajimobi’s star witness at tribunal

    Accord and its Oyo State governorship candidate Senator Rashidi Ladoja yesterday made a failed attempt to stop a key witness of Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the  hearing of a petition over the April 11 election.

    Ladoja and Accord are challenging Ajimobi’s election before the Justice Aliyu Maiyaki-led tribunal sitting in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC are co-respondents.

    Ajimobi opened his defence yesterday with his counsel, Mr. Olumuyiwa Aduroja (SAN), inviting the immediate past caretaker chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Mr. Wasiu Olatubosun, who doubled as the APC’s State Collation Agent in the election.

    But Chief Bayo Lawal – who stood in for the petitioners’ lead counsel – vehemently opposed it.

    He told the tribunal that Olatubosun’s written statement, as presented to him, was neither signed nor dated and therefore, he was not eligible to be admitted into the witness box.

    But counsel to the first and second respondents, Olumuyiwa Aduroja (SAN) and Bamidele Aiku (SAN), countered Lawal by stating that their witness was qualified to give evidence.

    The issue was later resolved by the tribunal chairman, who after consultation with the tribunal registry, affirmed that Olatubosun had his statement signed and dated.

    Consequently, Olatubosun stated during cross-examination by the counsel to the third and fourth respondents that the April 11, 2015 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state were conducted by INEC to reflect free, fair and credible outcomes.

    His statement was supported by three other witnesses – Aderemi Adebayo (Lagelu), Adewale Akande (Saki East) and Mr. Waheed Ajibade – who testified that the APC candidate won.

    Adebayo told the tribunal that he was surprised that Accord could challenge the results from his domain, where, he said, its candidate had won with a margin of 501 votes.

    He, however, averred that the APC had accepted the results from Lagelu in good faith.

    The four witnesses were cross-examined by the petitioners’ counsel, and counsel to first, second, third and fourth respondents, Olumuyiwa Aduroja, (SAN), Babatunde Aiku (SAN) and Yusuf Ali (SAN).

    Ajimobi had entered a crucial stage of cross-examination of witnesses by counsel to both the petitioners and the respondents.

    Hearing resumed yesterday following completion of the annual national conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja with majority of the counsel to both parties as participants.

  • Oyo Tribunal: Ladoja calls 26 witnesses

    Oyo Tribunal: Ladoja calls 26 witnesses

    Oyo State Accord candidate in the April 11 governorship election Senator Rashidi Ladoja has called 26 witnesses at the hearing of his petition filed before the state governorship election petition tribunal.

    Ladoja is challenging the declaration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election in the suit filed before a three-man panel.

    The witnesses were drawn from some of the state’s local governments, which results were being challenged by the petitioner.

    They were later cross-examined by the counsel to Ajimobi,  Olumuyiwa Aduroja; APC lawyer Babatunde Aiku; and Yusuf Ali, representing the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Results of 21 local government areas are being disputed and electoral materials used in the councils have been admitted and marked as exhibits before the tribunal.

    The petitioner’s counsel, Richard Ogunwole, has spent eight of the 10 days allotted to him to call his witnesses and present his evidence.

    He will close the appearances of his witnesses today.

    The respondents’ lawyers are expected to open theirs on Monday.

  • Ladoja’s aide debunks rumour of assassination attempt

    An aide to the former governor of Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo had debunked the rumour going round in the media that he has relocated to United Kingdom for safety due to some assassination attempts on his life.

    Speaking with journalist in Ibadan, Adeyemo said he was surprised when he received different phone calls from all parts of the country that he has relocated to United Kingdom for safety.

    In his words “I have not relocated to United Kingdom. I am in Nigeria with members of my family enjoying ourselves. I move around the country freely without anybody or group of people threatening me”.

    Adeyemo further disclosed that he has not travelled out of the country in the last five months and there had never been a single reported case of assassination attempt on his life.

    He further stated that the rumour that is being speculated in the media has a political undertone, urging members of the public to disregard such informed that he has relocated from Nigeria to United Kingdom.

    He also maintained that he has a good working relationship with his boss Senator Rashidi Ladoja saying that he is a worthy ambassador of the state.

    He also enjoined members of the press to shun sensational journalism and embrace professionalism by confirming the authenticity of their report before going to press.

  • Tribunal dismisses Ladoja’s application to invite forensic expert

    Tribunal dismisses Ladoja’s application to invite forensic expert

    THE Oyo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday dismissed an application brought by Senator Rashidi Ladoja seeking a leave to call a forensic analyst, Dr. Babatunde Adebola, to testify before the tribunal.

    Chairman of the tribunal sitting at the Oyo State High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Justice Muhammed Mayaki, dismissed the application in a one-hour ruling.

    He held that the application was rejected because it was not presented during the pre-hearing session, adding that no ex parte order was sought by the petitioner to bring same after the expiration of the session.

    Justice Mayaki said the application contradicted the provision of paragraph 47 (1) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2010.

    The judge described the application as an abuse of court process, adding that the report of the forensic analyst should have been tendered with that of the first witness, Mr. Bimbo Adepoju, instead of bringing them piecemeal.

    The forensic analyst was the leader of the team that inspected and counted ballot papers and boxes used for the April 11 governorship election petition.

    The application also sought invitation of one Mr. Bola Akinyemi to testify along with the forensic analyst.

    Ladoja, who was the candidate of Accord Party in the April 11 governorship election, is challenging the declaration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election. Accord is the second petitioner.

    The petitioners also joined APC, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr. Rufus Akeju, and the commission as co-respondents.

    Other members of the three-man tribunal are Justices Mohammadu Karaye and J. E. Ikede.

    Chief Richard Ogunwole (SAN) represents the first and second petitioners. Mr. Olumuyiwa Aduroja (SAN) represents Ajimobi and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is counsel to APC.

    Yusuf Ali (SAN) is leading a team of lawyers for the INEC and Akeju.

    Ogunwole had on August 6 made an oral application, praying the court to grant him the opportunity to request the presence of a forensic expert to testify before the tribunal.

    He buttressed his application with paragraph 47 (1) of the Electoral Act. The senior advocate cited the case of Aregbesola in which the court submitted that the oral evidence is superior to documentary evidences.

    Counsel to the first respondent, Aduroja, noted that all applications must be heard during pre-hearing session, stressing that any other application can only be heard in an extreme circumstance during proper hearing of the tribunal.

    He said: “This application is not under an extreme circumstances, but just a special circumstance. Leave must have been sought to argue the application during pre-hearing under an extreme circumstance, which must be itemised.

    “All these applications have failed woefully. It is an abuse of law and should be dismissed. Therefore, it should be dismissed.”

    Akeredolu (SAN) said: “The petitioner’s counsel ought to have sought for a leave justifying why the court should grant his application. This was the case between Nwaka and Yar’Adua. I pray that the court dismiss the case in our favour.”

    With the dismissal of the application, cross-examination of petitioner’s’ witnesses is expected to continue without hindrance.

  • Tribunal dismisses Ladoja’s application for forensic expert

    Tribunal dismisses Ladoja’s application for forensic expert

    The Oyo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed an application filed by Sen. Rashidi Ladoja seeking a leave to call a forensic analyst, Dr. Babatunde Adebola, to testify before the tribunal.

    The Chairman of the tribunal sitting at the Oyo State High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Justice Muhammed Mayaki, dismissed the application in a one-hour ruling.

    Ladoja, who represented the Labour Party in the April 11 governorship election in the state, is challenging the victory of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressive Congress, in the poll.

    The tribunal held that the application was rejected because it was not presented during the pre-hearing session, adding that no exparte order was sought by the petitioner to bring same after the expiration of the session.

    Justice Mayaki said the application contradicted the provision of paragraph 47 (1) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2010.

    The judge described the application as an abuse of the court process, adding that the report of the forensic analyst should have been tendered with that of the first witness, Mr. Bimbo Adepoju, instead of bringing them piece meal.

    The forensic analyst was the leader of the team that inspected and counted ballot papers and boxes used for the election.

    ‎The application also sought invitation of one Mr. Bola Akinyemi to testify along with the forensic analyst.

     

  • Oyo governorship poll: Lawyers fault exhibits tendered by Ladoja

    Oyo governorship poll: Lawyers fault exhibits tendered by Ladoja

    •Accord’s lawyer slumps in court

    Lawyers to defendants in the governorship petition filed by Senator Rashidi Ladoja of Accord party against the election of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi have faulted the “several inconsistencies” in the evidences tendered by the ex-governor before the tribunal handling the suit.

    Ladoja is challenging the election of Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the tribunal.

    He joined the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju, as co-respondents.

    Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) is the lawyer for Ajimobi and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) represents the APC. Sikiru Sanni represents the INEC and Mr. Richard Ogunwole (SAN) is counsel to Ladoja and Accord.

    The “inconsistencies” were discovered during cross-examination of the star witness, Bimbo Adepoju, at the weekend.

    Lawyers to APC, INEC and Akeju identified discrepancies in the figures entered in the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) form from the INEC and the record of analysis made by the witness.

    A total of 192 documents had been tendered and marked ‘exhibits’ by the tribunal.

    Adepoju had earlier affirmed in court that his exhibits were error-free.

    But the counsels to the respondents referred him to “various errors, unsubstantiated and inconsistent claims and contradictory facts contained in his exhibits”.

    For instance, the number of total valid votes, total votes cast and the number of rejected votes in the chief witness’ analyses were faulted as inconsistent with the figures he recorded in forms EC8A as an expert that analysed INEC materials used during the governorship election.

    Adepoju added that the inconsistencies grew from the figures in the PVCs used for collation analysis in the EC8A.

    The total votes cast with the valid and invalid votes in some records of analysis done by the witness were different from those in the INEC Form EC8A.

    In Iludero Unit of Atiba Local Government for example, 501 votes were recorded in the witness’ analysis. It was 489 in the Form.

    A total of 611 votes were recorded for Ward six in Akinyele Local Government whereas there was no voter register available.

    In Oyo West, total votes cast was 258 and it was 161 in the form.

    In Ibadan North Unit 005, 317 votes were recorded in the witness’ analysis, but 185 appeared in the form. Total rejected votes in the analysis of Oyo West Unit 001 was three, but it was 44 in the INEC form.

    Taking his turn, Akeredolu (SAN) told the tribunal that the analysis done by the witness and the party was inconsistent with the exhibits provided.

    But the witness insisted that some forms such as the incident form, which validates his claim, were not released to him by INEC.

    But tragedy was averted at the weekend as Mr. Biodun AbdulRaheem, the lead counsel to Accord’s candidate in March 28 House of Representatives election in Ibadan North East / Ibadan South East Federal Constituency, Mr. Olugbenga Adewusi, slumped during a tribunal sitting in the Oyo State capital.

    He was, however, revived by a team of lawyers led by Adebayo Mutalubi, the former Commissioner for Justice and counsel to the defendant, Dapo Lam-Adesina.

    Mutalubi was said to have rushed to attend to Abdul-Raheem  after another lawyer, I.O Opeyemi, drew the attention of the tribunal to Abdul-Raheem’s unconscious state.

    He was led out of the court by other lawyers. The plaintiff’s counsel later asked his driver to take him to his doctor.

  • Ladoja debunks rumour of assassination

    Ladoja debunks rumour of assassination

    Former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, yesterday denied reports of his relocation to United Kingdom following assassination attempt on his life.

    Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, Ladoja’s  media aide, Sunday Adeyemo, described the report as untrue.

    He said that Ladoja had been inundated with phone calls from several well-wishers, supporters and associates from different parts of the country as a result the rumour of purported assassination attempt and his subsequent relocation to UK for safety.

    He said “He (Ladoja) has not relocated to UK. He is Nigeria with members of

    his family and is hale and hearty. He is been moving round the country freely without anyone threatening him.

    “Senator Ladoja has not travelled out of the country

    in the last five months and there had never been a single reported

    case of assassination attempt on his life. The report has a political undertone and it should be discountenance by the public.”

    He admonished journalists to shun sensationalism and embrace professionalism by confirming stories before going to press.