BY Oluwatoyin Bayagbon
An Osun state high court has asked Ademola Adeleke, senator representing Osun west, to produce his primary school certificate within six days.
Adeleke defeated his closest contender, Akin Ogunbiyi, to win the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for the September 22 election.
Following his win, Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwaseun Idowu, members of the PDP, filed a suit to challenge his candidacy on the grounds that the senator “did not possess his primary school leaving certificate” which is required according to section 177 (d) of the 1999 constitution.
The plaintiffs asked the court to grant an order restraining the PDP from presenting Adeleke’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the governorship poll.
But in his ruling, David Oladimeji , the presiding judge, explained that granting the ex-parte application would “subject the court to mockery,” if the senator thereafter presents the certificate.
The judge noted that based on the affidavits sworn by the applicants, the court injunction lasts till August 8, leaving a seven-day window for Adeleke to present his certificate.
“It will be inequitable not to allow the respondent to come and show his certificate if he has any but if given the opportunity to present side of the case, the balance which is necessary for interlocutory injunction would be adequately considered,” Oladimeji held.
“Being an election matter, it is my conviction that the public will not be uninterested in the proceedings of this court.
“Once a matter is before a court, any party cannot take a further step without the express permission of the court.”
Oladimeji adjourned the motion till August 1 for definite hearing, saying that “no form of excuse from the litigants would be tolerated by the court.”
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