#KogiDecides Kogi Tribunal Grants Substitutted Service on Yahaya Bello

..... Okays PDP Motion to Inspect Election Materials

The Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Lokoja yesterday granted six exparte motions to all petitioners seeking leave of the the Tribunal to grant order of relief to serve the governor -elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello through a substituted means, owing to the inability of court bailiffs to serve him.



All the six legal Counsels representing Hon. James Faleke of the APC, PDP, APGA, LP, ADC and PPA , urged the tribunal to allow motions be served by pasting on the gate of the last known address of Bello or at the APC,s Secretariat in Lokoja among others.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Halima S. Mohammed who  granted the six exparte motions  stated that the second respondent, APC governor- elect be served by a substituted means before the commencement of the substantive suits.

Similarly, the Tribunal also granted the exparte  motion filed by the leading counsel to Governor Idris Wada of the PDP, chief Chris Uche to inspect all the materials used in connection with the conduct of Kogi State Governorship election that are in INEC custody.

Uche  pointed out that the application was supported by an eleven paragraph affidavit and signed by one John Mark, adding that it became imperative to enable the team obtain all relevant materials needed in this case.

He therefore  sought two for weeks to inspect the‎ materials, before the report would be brought before the tribunal.

While granting the reliefs, the Tribunal Chairman said the Tribunal would adjourn and  be reconvene on 21st January, 2016,stressing that all the parties would be formally informed of the need to inspect the materials so that there would be need for others to seek the same process.

Earlier,the Chairman of the tribunal who appeared alone to commence the sitting,  stated that the Chairman can take an experte motion since it not an inaugural sitting which will require an address.

Wada's counsel, Chief Uche however pleaded with the Tribunal Chairman to allow other members show up for familiarization purposes.

As mark of honor, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice  Mohammed briefly adjourned  at about 10.50am and reconvened later with all the members.

The Tribunal members are  Justice Halima S  Mohammed as the Chairman,Justice Patricia Ajoku member and Justice Agbogo Elijah Ejembi.

The Tribunal has however adjourned till 21st January 2016.