Before Yemi Osinbajo became APC vice
presidential candidate and running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, he was
the APC’s super lawyer who defended or prosecuted cases on behalf of
the party and its officials.
He successfully led the tribunal cases that
ensured victory for most of the APC governors who assumed office
through judiciary announcement.
Osun governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who is
currently defending his August 9 electoral victory in the court
following the challenge of the PDP and its candidate, Iyiola Omisore, is
being represented by Osinbajo, and on Friday, at the Osun State High
Court premises, both Aregbesola and Osinbajo made an appearance.
currently defending his August 9 electoral victory in the court
following the challenge of the PDP and its candidate, Iyiola Omisore, is
being represented by Osinbajo, and on Friday, at the Osun State High
Court premises, both Aregbesola and Osinbajo made an appearance.
Ordinarily, the governor would not show
up at sittings of the tribunal, but since his lawyer is now a national
figure and a crucial man for his party, he was on hand to honour him.
up at sittings of the tribunal, but since his lawyer is now a national
figure and a crucial man for his party, he was on hand to honour him.
It is unclear if Osinbajo made any
presentation at the tribunal as the defence team comprises of several
counsels apart from him.
presentation at the tribunal as the defence team comprises of several
counsels apart from him.
There were more armed security agents at
the court and around the court premises on Friday than at the previous
sittings. The police as usual closed the road in front of the court to
commercial vehicles and motorcycles while private cars with verifiable
missions around the area were allowed to move on the road.
the court and around the court premises on Friday than at the previous
sittings. The police as usual closed the road in front of the court to
commercial vehicles and motorcycles while private cars with verifiable
missions around the area were allowed to move on the road.
Operatives of the Department of State
for Security and Explosives Ordinance Department were present to ensure
that there was no security breach.
for Security and Explosives Ordinance Department were present to ensure
that there was no security breach.
The tribunal is presided over by Justice
Elizabeth Ikpejime. The panel adjourned sitting till today Saturday for
the APC to continue calling its witnesses.
Elizabeth Ikpejime. The panel adjourned sitting till today Saturday for
the APC to continue calling its witnesses.
Osinbajo told journalists in an interview after the proceedings that the August 9 governorship poll was credible.
He said, “We called all of the witnesses
we wanted to call and they all performed well. We hope to see clearly
that this was a free and fair election and that the APC won the election
fair and square. That is what we certainly hope to see.”
we wanted to call and they all performed well. We hope to see clearly
that this was a free and fair election and that the APC won the election
fair and square. That is what we certainly hope to see.”
Aregbesola said that he was at the tribunal to honour the panel.
He said that he was pleased with the
testimonies of all the witnesses called by the second respondent to
defend his victory against the petition.
testimonies of all the witnesses called by the second respondent to
defend his victory against the petition.
The governor said that he had confidence
in the tribunal and he believed that the petition would be dismissed
because he won the election.
in the tribunal and he believed that the petition would be dismissed
because he won the election.
Aregbesola said, “I am here to honour
the court and to fraternise with the vice-presidential candidate of my
party. To me, it is the best that could happen in Nigeria now.
the court and to fraternise with the vice-presidential candidate of my
party. To me, it is the best that could happen in Nigeria now.
“He is a paragon of brilliance when it
comes to legal profession. By the time he becomes the vice-president of
Nigeria, I will be extremely happy to tell the whole world that I have
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as my lawyer and as the vice-president of Nigeria.”
comes to legal profession. By the time he becomes the vice-president of
Nigeria, I will be extremely happy to tell the whole world that I have
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as my lawyer and as the vice-president of Nigeria.”
