• Imposes N3m fine on Edema over abuse of process
• Ondo gov urges intending pilgrims to pray against insecurity
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has dismissed an appeal filed by the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Gbenga Edema, challenging the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Olayide Adelami, in the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The appellate court affirmed the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, which ruled against the standard-bearer of the NNPP, in his bid to invalidate the primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa and Adelami as APC’s candidates.
In a unanimous judgment, delivered by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s dismissal of Edema’s suit, citing procedural flaws and abuse of the judicial process.
The appellate court, which equally resolved all issues against Edema, dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and imposed a N1 million fine against the appellant in favour of each of the respondents, which include Aiyedatiwa, Adelami and INEC.
Meanwhile, counsel to the deputy governor, Remi Olatubora (SAN), who lauded the verdict, frowned on Edema’s decision to challenge Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy post-election despite contesting the poll under the NNPP, stressing that the legal system must be reformed to prevent such suits.
On his part, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), who hailed the judgment as a reaffirmation of Aiyedatiwa’s mandate, called for unity, stressing the need to focus on advancing the state.
IN another development, Aiyedatiwahas urged the intending pilgrims of the 2025 hajj to pray against insecurity in the state, and country at large. The governor gave the advice, yesterday, in Akure while bidding farewell to the 735 intending pilgrims.
Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Bola Taiwo, urged them to be good ambassadors of the state in the holy land. He, however, admonished the intending pilgrims to abide by the rules and regulations of the Saudi Arabian government.
