Appeal Court Set To Rule Today As Sanwo-Olu, Jandor, Rhodes-Vivour Battle For Lagos

Barring any last-minute change, the Appeal Court in Lagos will today, Wednesday, deliver judgment in the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran challenging the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Publisher Nigeria understands that the court sent a notice to the parties disclosing that the judgment will be delivered today, November 15th by 3 pm.

Recall that on Nov 7th, the Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Yargata Nimpar had reserved judgment in the two appeals after listening to the arguments of the parties.

The court said the date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.

During the court session, Counsel to Labour Party, Mr Benson Olagbade, urged the court to allow the appeal and set aside the decision of the tribunal on the Lagos State governorship election.

He argued that the tribunal erred in law when it held that the burden of proof regarding the citizenship of Sanwo-olu’s running mate, Obafemi Hamzat rests on the appellant.

He urged the court to interprete Section 182 (1) (a) of the Constitution regarding the disqualification of Sanwo-Olu and his deputy.

“We invite this court to give full interpretation of the law to this matter.

“It does not matter whose ox is gored,” Olagbade said.

However, the counsel to the Lagos State Governor, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

He said the dual citizenship argued by the appellant was never brought before the tribunal.

“They are now presenting a case of dual citizenship, they believe that this is a trial court.

“The tribunal found out that the purported oath of allegiance to a foreign country was not before it so it ruled it out.

“We urge your Lordship to dismiss this appeal,” Olanipekun said.

In the petition filed by the PDP, asked for the disqualification of APC and Labour Party candidates, basing its requests on the provision of Section 177(c) and 182(1)(j) of the constitution.

Olanipekun however urged the court to also dismiss the appeal.