By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
An INEC officer in charge of Surulere Constituency, Mrs. Erhokpeadmwen Rita Awhefeda on Thursday told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that an All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate representing Surulere Constituency 11, Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara did not comply with INEC Statutory requirements on her academic records.
The witness, Awhefeda was testifying before Justice Nicholas Oweibo in a pre-election matter filed by an APC aspirant, Mr. Olasunkanmi Shittu,(plaintiff).
In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1468/2022, Shitu is praying the court to disqualify Sangodara and declare him (plaintiff) as the APC candidate for next year’s election.
Defendants in the suit are INEC, Sangodara and the APC as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.
At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, the witness was cross examined by plaintiff’s counsel Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
Pinheiro confronted the witness with INEC form EC9 and asked her to tell the court whether all the conditions therein were mandatory or not.
The witness answered ‘yes’.
Pinheiro then asked her if the educational certificate columns were filled by the 2nd defendant and attached.
Witness: “No.” She did not fill it
Pinheiro: “Awhefeda confirm if Sangodara has properly met INEC conditions by not filling the educational certificate columns, which is a requirement of law.
Witness: “No she did not comply
The witness, led by INEC’s counsel Mr. Ibrahim Olawale, had earlier adopted her witness statement on oath.
The court was constrained from taking Sangodara’s evidence as her counsel Oridate prayed the court to adjourn the suit because of an application he intended to file. He told the judge that tomorrow (Friday) would not be convenient.
However, Pinheiro opposed an adjournment beyond Friday, arguing that an application for an adjournment was merely a ploy to “orchestrate undue delay.”
In a bench ruling, Justice Oweibo upheld Pinheiro’s counter.
The judge reasoned that everybody must be prepared to make sacrifices in the interest of justice, especially going by a recent directive of the Chief Judge who has formed a task force on pre election matters.
He adjourned till Friday for Sangodara to give her evidence.
The Deputy Registrar, Yaba college of Technology Mr. Olufunmi Dada had earlier told the court that the candidate did not graduate from the school as an HND holder.