TheCable

The election tribunal sitting in Osogbo, Osun state, has ruled in favour of the prayer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Iyiola Omisore to open his case on Monday, November 10, 2014.

Earlier, Omisore had contested the results of the August 9 election which returned Rauf Aregebsola as the governor of the state.

The case was adjourned following an oral request by Nathaniel Oke, the petitioner’s counsel, urging the Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal to allow him open his case on Monday.

The adjournment was opposed by Kunle Adegoke and Aderemi Abimbola, counsels to Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC), who insisted that the petitioner must open his case immediately

Adegoke stated that the first respondent was ready to open the case as the petitioner had earlier accused him of unnecessary delay.

On the other hand, Oke said he needed the adjournment to prepare witnesses that would aid in pushing his side of the case, adding that the earlier adjournment to Thursday was to report issues from all parties in the case, and not for him to open his case.

Ayotunde Ogunleye, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said his client would leave the tribunal to decide when the petitioner opens his case.

The 3-man panel adopted Monday for the petitioner to open his case, allotting 20 minutes for the cross examination of each of the witnesses that will be presented to testify before it, just as proposed by the respondents during the last hearing.

However, President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier congratulated elected Aregbesola and wished him a successful tenure as the governor of the state.