TRIBUNAL UPDATE: Aregbesola Opens Defence, Presents Witnesses

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has opened case to defend his victory against the petition filed by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party told the Election Petitions Tribunal on Monday.
Omisore had alleged that that the August 9governorship poll was not free, fair and credible.
The petitioner and four witnesses who testified in his favour told Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal that the election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of manipulation.
The first witness called by the governor, Mrs. Rachael Babatunde, a trader, said that there was proper accreditation at the unit where she cast her vote on election day at Olorunda Local Government Area.
The witness, who was led in evidence by counsel to the first respondent, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) said voting also went on peacefully without any harassment.
A retired police officer, Mr. Folorunso Olojede, also told the court that the election was free and fair. He stated that security personnel were present at the unit where he voted and that they ensured that the election went smoothly without any hitch.
The petitioner’s lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche ( SAN), however, told the witness that he was a member of Osun State Customary Court and he answered in the affirmative.
The witness stated that nobody was disenfranchised during the poll, while telling the panel that he was not a member of any political party.
The third witness called by the first respondent, Mr. Adeniji Akinropo, said he was a retired civil servant but the occupation which appeared on the voter register show that he was not retired.
He, however, blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission for this, saying he had complained to the electoral body on the same issue.
DAILY TIMES