…Slams appellant with 1.2m fine
By Okhide Em’ya David
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin, on Wednesday, upheld the ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal against the Action Democratic Party (ADP), reaffirming the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki at the 2020 governorship election.
The Judgement comes barely two months after the Elections Petitions Tribunal struck out the petition by the ADP and its governorship candidate, Iboi Lucky, challenging the outcome of the September 19, 2020 governorship election, which returned Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of Edo State.
The Appeal Court, delivering the judgement in the case marked CA/B/EPT/GOV/01 & 1A/2021 Action Democratic Party & Anor v. INEC & 2Ors, held that Obaseki did not forge his certificates with which he contested the 2020 governorship election, dismissing the appeal filed by the ADP and its candidate.
In another case marked /B/EPT/GOV/02/2021 Action Peoples Party (APP) Vs Godwin N. Obaseki & 2Ors., the Court unanimously upheld the Judgment of the Tribunal and dismissed the Appeal with costs assessed at N600,000 each, on two different counts, as the governor won all eight issues for determination in the appeal.
Delivering the judgement in favour of the governor, the Presiding Justice, Hon. Justice M.A. Owoade, dismissed the main appeal, the preliminary objection and the cross appeal.
The Judge noted that the inclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as respondents in the petition, was a ploy by Ize-Iyamu to fight his case through another petitioner, describing it as a case of ‘squeezing the rock for water’.
Obaseki hails Judiciary, as Appeal Court upholds Tribunal ruling
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has praised the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Benin City, upholding the ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, describing it as “another victory for Edo people.”
In a statement, the governor said the verdict of the Court of Appeal is a testament to the fairness and equity of the Judiciary.
He noted, “The verdict of the Court of Appeal, Benin City, upholding the ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is another victory for Edo people and a testament to the fairness and equity of the Judiciary.
“The Judiciary has again ensured that the will of the people is not suppressed and the mandate they freely gave is not hijacked. They have robustly demonstrated the truism that the Judiciary is indeed the last hope of the common man.”
Obaseki added, “We count on the judiciary to, as they have done today, continue to uphold the voice and the will of the people. It is worth reiterating that the cases brought against me were inspired by hate, strife and avarice, and the arrogance of the opposition to lord themselves over the will of the majority of the good people of Edo State.”
The governor also commended Edo people for their support to his administration, adding, “We thank Edo people for their unyielding belief in our mandate and vision for our state. We appreciate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the support and shared vision to make Edo great again.”
“We also appreciate His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for ensuring a vibrant and fair Judiciary that upholds the will of the masses.”
