News
Tribunal Strikes out PDP, Adebutu’s reply on Vote Buying Allegation Against Dapo Abiodun
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday struck out the vote buying allegation, levelled against Governor Dapo Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
Adebutu had dragged Governor Abiodun and the APC to the tribunal challenging their declaration as the winner of the 18, March 2023 governorship election in the state.
But the governor’s lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in their defence to the petition, made weighty allegations backed up with police report, establishing that Adebutu and the PDP engaged in vote buying during the elections.
On 22 May, 2023, Adebutu and the PDP filed a reply to the defence by Governor Abiodun and the APC, also levelling vote buying allegation against the ruling party.
The Governor’s lawyers, represented by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), however, filed an application asking the Tribunal to strike out the Reply in its entirety or in the alternative, to strike out offending paragraphs from that Reply.
Osipitan argued that the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP contravenes paragraph 16(1) (a & b) of the Electoral Act and the rules of court pleadings.
While ruling on the matter, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice H.N. Kunaza, agreed with the submissions by Prof. Osipitan
In the ruling, supported by the other two members; Hon. Justice J.B. Egele and Hon. Justice Sannusi Shehu, the Tribunal overruled Adebutu’s lawyers, led by Chief Goddy Uche (SAN), saying that the application filed by the Governor’s lawyers was not the kind of application that the Constitution requires to be determined at the end of proceedings in judgment.
Relying on relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Tribunal held that only applications that challenge the tribunal’s jurisdiction or the competence of a petition will be deferred till judgment whereas the application filed by Governor Abiodun’s lawyers was not that kind of application.
The Tribunal also held that the Reply by Adebutu and PDP was incompetent for multiple reasons.
The Tribunal identified some paragraphs which contained unnecessary and repetitive allegations, others, which contained arguments and legal conclusions (which are not allowed in replies), and some paragraphs which were an improper expansion of the petition earlier filed.
The Tribunal noted that in their petition, Adebutu and PDP alleged that Governor Abiodun and APC committed corrupt practices during the gubernatorial elections. The Tribunal further noted that vote buying is a specie of corruption and that if PDP and Adebutu truly believed that APC engaged in vote buying, the petitioner ought to have included those allegations in their petition from the start, which they did not do.
The Tribunal noted that if the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP was permitted, there was a risk to prejudice, surprise, or even shut out Governor Abiodun and APC on the issues raised in that Reply.
The Tribunal denounced Adebutu and the PDP for coming up with the vote-buying allegation only after APC and Governor Abiodun had done same against them.
With this backdrop, the Tribunal unanimously concluded that Governor Abiodun and APC would be prejudiced if the Reply filed by Adebutu and PDP is allowed.
The Tribunal held that when Governor Abiodun and APC filed their defence, they joined issues with Adebutu and PDP; that by joining issues, the parties fixed the dispute; and that it was improper to go outside those issues in the Reply.
The Tribunal also found that it was unnecessary to file a Reply in the circumstance, as held in several decisions of the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court.
The Reply was accordingly struck out.
With this ruling, only the allegation of vote buying made by Governor Abiodun and APC against Adebutu and the PDP would be entertained by the tribunal.
Jelili Owonikoko (SAN), represented INEC, while the APC team was led by Chief Onyeazu Ikpeazu (SAN).
It would be recalled that Adebutu and PDP leaders in Ogun State have been charged for the offence of vote buying by the Federal Government, a situation that has led to Adebutu being a fugitive to the law.
News
LASEMA rescues 12, 3 dead bodies at Ajuwon building collapse
Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident…
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said Tuesday twelve persons have been rescued alive, while three bodies have been recovered while search and rescue operations are ongoing at the collapsed building in Ajuwon, a border community between Ogun and Lagos State.
Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident, said that following the approval of Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, LASEMA deployed its specialised rescue team and heavy equipment to support the Ogun State Government and other responding agencies.
” Working alongside officials of the Ogun State Government, NEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps and other stakeholders, 12 persons were rescued from the rubble and three bodies have been recovered,” he said.
According to him, the operation is now at ground zero, with responders excavating below the foundation level to ensure no victim remains trapped before the operation is concluded.
An adjoining bungalow, compromised by the collapse, will also be carefully demolished to eliminate the risk of a secondary collapse.
LASEMA commends the collaboration among all responding agencies and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The Agency also urges property owners and developers to comply with building regulations and carry out periodic structural integrity assessments to prevent similar incidents.
News
Billionaire Dangote to donate one-third of wealth to philanthropy,says daughter
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.
[File photo): Aliko Dangote and his daughters
Halima Dangote, the daughter of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed plans by her father to donate one-third of his wealth to charity.
Halima, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed the arrangement in an interview with Bloomberg published on Tuesday.
According to her, the billionaire had secured his family’s support to dedicate 33 percent of his estate to philanthropy.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.
Explaining the decision, Halima said her father considers philanthropy central to his legacy and has embedded it into the family’s long-term succession plans.
News
BREAKING: Two-Storey Building Collapses in Ajuwon, Residents Feared Trapped
A two-storey residential building has collapsed along Baale Road (also referred to as Baale Street) near Ajuwon Bus Stop in Ajuwon/Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, 27 July 2026, leaving several occupants feared trapped under the rubble.
The incident, which occurred in the Lagos-Ogun border community, triggered panic among residents and passers-by as the structure gave way unexpectedly. Crowds quickly gathered at the scene while waiting for emergency responders. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of people attempting to dig through the debris by hand.
According to one eyewitness identified as Anthony, only a single male occupant managed to escape before the building became completely inaccessible. The survivor reportedly told those at the scene that his wife and children remained trapped inside.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least three people — including a grandmother, her toddler grandchild, and another man — have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Several others are still feared trapped. The exact number of people affected, including any injuries or fatalities, has not been officially confirmed by authorities at the time of reporting.
The Executive Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Hon. Idris Kusimo, has arrived at the scene and is coordinating with residents and responders. Rescue operations involving locals and emergency personnel are ongoing.
Urgent Appeal
An urgent call has gone out to the Ogun State Government, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, relevant state fire and rescue services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and all other emergency responders to immediately mobilise fully equipped teams to the location to rescue those still trapped beneath the debris.
Further updates will follow as official information becomes available. Residents in the area are advised to stay clear of the site to allow unhindered access for rescue teams.
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