Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal Orders INEC to Grant Access to Election Materials

In a recent development at the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal in Lokoja, Counsel to the first applicant in the concluded governorship election, Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has been granted leave by the court.

This compels the first respondent in the petition, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to provide access to materials and all documents utilized in the conduct of the 11th gubernatorial election in the state.

The decision stems from an application filed by S.E Aruwa, SAN, citing difficulties in accessing crucial documents, specifically 42 items used in the election, hindering the progress of the case.

Aruwa explained that attempts to obtain these documents from both the INEC office in Abuja and Lokoja had been unsuccessful, necessitating the Tribunal’s intervention.

Presiding Tribunal Judge, Justice Yusuf Ado Birnin-Kudu, acknowledged the merit of the application in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, and the Electoral Law 2023.

Consequently, he granted the application, instructing INEC to allow access to certified copies of documents used in the governorship election within two days.

The Tribunal Chairman also acceded to the request of John Adele, SAN, representing Muritala Ajaka and the SDP, compelling INEC to grant access to BVAS and other electronic materials within 48 hours.

Following the ruling, lead Counsel John Adele, SAN, expressed optimism that INEC would adhere to the Tribunal’s directive.