The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin, on Monday, dismissed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) petition against member representing Owan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ihonvbere Onozuanvbo Julius, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jimoh Iruokhaimem Ojeiu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are 1st and 2nd petitioners in the petition marked EPT/ED/HR/03/2023.
In its unanimous decision, the tribunal, while dismissing the petition filed by Ojeiu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), upheld the victory of the House of Representatives majority leader, Ihonvbere.
Lead counsel to Ihonvbere,West Idahosa (SAN), had argued that Ojeiu’s petition failed and ought to be dismissed with punitive cost.
The tribunal consequently granted the prayer of West Idahosa against the petitioners.
Reacting to the over two hours judgement, Counsel to the 1st Petitioners, Rasak Isenalume, Esq, told our said: “As lawyers, our duty is to present the case as it is and back it up with relevant laws.
“So, it is for the tribunal to decide, you know we cannot change the law. All sides must have their positions and we canvassed ours eloquently. But the tribunal has come with its decision.
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“Well, like I told the tribunal, we will await further instructions from our clients as there is a further step to go.
“Most of this cases we are citing today, they were cases done at the tribunal and reversed at the Court of Appeal and affirmed by the Supreme Court”
But Counsel to Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, 2nd Respondent, Famous Osawaru, who held brief for West Idahosa, SAN, described the judgement as “master class, meticulously written, articulately delivered and a victory for the people of Owan Federal Constituency”
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He maintained that the tribunal dismissed the petition following the inability of the petitioners to prove the issues of over voting as alleged in their petition.
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“They could not proved the elements to establish over votes in the election”, he said
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On his part, Counsel to the respondent, the APC Victor Asumwan, esq said: “We are glad with the judgement and it is a reaffirmation of the decision of the electorates in Owan east and West Constituency when they voted massively for APC
“The tribunal has affirmed the position of the law that for one to prove over voting, there are certain requirements of the law you must meet.
“The petitioners obviously woefully failed to meet those provisions,” he averred