By: Tope Bamidele.
Ekiti State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to allow the Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Segun Oni have unhindered access to all the electoral materials during the poll across the sixteen local government areas of the state.
The Tribunal’s decision was consequent upon an application of the petitioner that it will be in order for him to inspect all the materials used for the June eighteen poll as evidences to further support the petition.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Wilfred Kpochi who gave the order stressed that there was urgent need for such order to enable the petitioner diligently prosecute their case within time frame in conformity with the new electoral act, as amended.
Also in another ruling, Justice Kpochi held that the value of substituted service sought by the Petitioner are necessary to put on notice, parties involved in the case to enhance quick dispensation of justice.
The Chairman of the Tribunal subsequently ordered the SDP to serve The National Secretary or any available senior officials of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja its petition, challenging the outcome of the June eighteen governorship election.
Earlier at the inaugural sitting, the three member panel headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi urged parties and counsels to shun any act that could undermine the activities of the tribunal.
