Kogi West: Tribunal Reserves Judgement In Melaye’s Suit Over Adeyemi’s Victory

The hope of Senator Dino Melaye has been left hanging as the Kogi State National Assembly Election Tribunal has held on to its final verdict.

Naija News recalls that Melaye challenged the result of the election declared by INEC which saw Smart Adeyemi emerge as Senator representing the Kogi West constituency.

According to reports gathered the three-member panel of the tribunal led by Justice Sambo, however, reserved the judgment after the parties had adopted their final written addresses.

Adopting the address, Prof Egbewole asked the court to grants his prayers and declare Melaye as winner based on the alleged evidence that the petitioners had the majority of lawful vote with 46,649 votes against INEC and APC which hold 43,543 votes.

Prof. Egbewole, however, said though the figure was different from the one they pleaded in court against INEC, but submitted that their prayers should still be considered.

Barr. Chris Alashe, counsel to 1st respondents (INEC) asked the court to dismiss the case in ‘adumbration”, stating there was no evidence to the figure brought by the Petitioner, hence, the case be dismissed in its entirety.

Counsel to Senator Smart Adeyemi who was the second respondents Dr. Otitoju Oladapo, urged the tribunal to look into his objections to the Petitioner’s prayer contained in his final written addresses.

“We seek to adopt that your Lordships to dismiss this petition. We also filed on the points of law to tendering of documents, urged you to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit and substance.