Drama in Court as PDP Senatorial Candidate, Aderinokun hurriedly replaces Lawyers during tribunal proceedings

By Our Correspondent

 There was a drama at an Ogun State Tribunal Court, Isabo court 2, today, as Olumide Aderinokun, People Democratic party Ogun Central Senatorial District candidate hurriedly replaced new set of lawyers during tribunal proceedings.

 The court was informed by Moshood Nosiru, who stood in for Olumide Aderinokun that the lawyer who is now in charge of the defence team will be changed to Mahmud Adesina (SAN). 

 Nosiru said he took over the case only within a short notice, as he appealed for ample opportunity to study the new brief in the interest of justice. He requested orally for adjournment on the matter in tandem with the necessary provision of the law. 

 Tribunal chairman asked if former counsel, Dr. Hassan Balogun had duly served the motion and filed necessary processes. Nosiru responded "My lord, We have an application dated and filed 11th May, 2023 (Today) for change of counsel. Dr Hassan Balogun was the one originally representing the Petitioners. 

The Petitioners now want to change their counsel to Mahmud Adesina, SAN" "I served him in court this morning. I'm speaking from the Bar. Former counsel was carried along. 

We seek the indulgence of the court to allow us move our application so that this petition can move forward" he said Responding to the petitioner’s argument, the Tribunal chairman asked Olumide Aderinokun lawyer to prove whether or not they have informed and duly served INEC, Salisu, APC and the former counsel. The Tribunal chairman later noticed that all the responders have not been duly served and the Petitioners have not filed their answers to Pre-hearing Information Sheet. 

Dissatisfied with the request of the new defence counsel, the tribunal chairman, objected and ruled that there was no evidence before him that the Petitioners ( Olumide Aderinokun and PDP) have served the out-going counsel, Ogun central senator-Elect, All Progressives Congress and INEC with the motion for change of counsel. 

 The Tribunal court had adjourned till today for the continuation of the pre-hearing of the petition by the PDP and its senatorial candidate against the Senator-Elect. In the petition, EPT/OG/SEN/03/2023, the PDP and Aderinokun are challenging the declaration of Salisu as the Senator-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Listed as 1st to 3rd respondents in the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu, and the APC, respectively.

 Tribunal Chairman therefore adjourned the matter to Monday, 15th May, 2023 for continuation of pre-hearing.