Olu Samuel, Lokoja

The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja on Saturday granted counsels to the first applicant in the case of the governorship election, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the leave of the Court compelling the first respondent in the petition, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow access to materials and all documents used in the conduct of November 11 gubernatorial election in the state.

The order followed an application filled by S.E Aruwa SAN expressing inability to access documents, mainly 42 items used in the conduct of the election, to proceed with his case.

According to Aruwa, all efforts to access such documents at INEC offices in Abuja and Lokoja had proved abortive, hence, the need for an order of the tribunal to proceed with the case.

The Presiding Tribunal Judge, Justice Yusuf Ado Birnin-Kudu said the application is meritorious in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the Electoral Law 2023.

He granted the application that the first respondent, INEC, grant counsels to Muritala Ajaka of the SDP led by John Adele, SAN, and SE Aruwa SAN, access to certified copies of documents used for the governorship election within two days.

Also, the chairman of the Tribunal granted the prayers of John Adele SAN, to compel INEC to also grant access to Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other electronic materials used within 48 hours.

Speaking after the ruling, lead Counsel to Muritala Ajaka and SDP, John Adele SAN, expressed optimism that INEC will comply with the ruling of the Tribunal.