The Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal will on Thursday hear an application by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Abdulazeez Adediran, aka Jandor, for the extension of time to bring more witnesses.

On Tuesday, the three-member tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom ordered Mr Adediran’s counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), to serve processes to respondents.

The respondents are the state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), governorship candidate in the state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour; and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Ashom also directed that the respondents should make responses on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“The hearing of the application for the extension of time is hereby adjourned until July 6,” Mr Ashom said.

The application dated July 2 was filed on July 4.

In the application, Mr Adediran prayed the tribunal grant him more time to bring more witnesses in the interest of justice and fair hearing.

However, counsel to INEC, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), urged the tribunal to close Mr Adediran’s case.

Mr Oyeyipo said he did not see any reason for the extension, adding that the application lacked merit.

“Granting them another day means that the tribunal will grant us some days more to respond, and the tribunal does not have the luxury of time,” he said.

Benjamin Nwosu, counsel to Mr Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, also asked that Mr Adediran’s case be closed.

Counsel to APC, Noris Quakers (SAN), said: “The rule says that the petitioner shall have three days to prove his case and shall not go beyond four days.”

Folagbade Benson, counsel to Mr Rhodes-Vivour, said he would leave the decision at the court’s discretion.

Counsel to LP, Idowu Benson, also left the decision at the court’s discretion. 

(NAN)