The Fatshimetrie court was the scene of an intense legal clash between the opposing parties in the case in question. Governor Ododo’s team, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), strongly argued for the total rejection of the petition filed by the opposition.
Opposition lawyers, led by Pius Akubo, on the other hand, strongly argued for the validity of their petition and called on the court to take it into consideration.
During the closing arguments, the arguments put forward were numerous and varied. Ododo’s team highlighted the incompetence and lack of basis for the opposition’s petition, while Ajaka’s lawyers highlighted elements justifying their approach.
Senior Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Kanu Agabi, has highlighted the lack of concrete evidence provided by the petitioners, relying on decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to strengthen his argument .
He highlighted the fact that only 3.6% of the testimonies of Ajaka’s witnesses had been accepted, which, according to him, was largely insufficient to support the petition. Additionally, he challenged the credibility of the evidence presented by the opposition, highlighting gaps in testimony regarding the voting system used in the election.
For his part, Gov.’s lawyer. Ododo, Joseph Daudu, argued in favor of rejecting the petition for procedural reasons, arguing in particular the late filing of the petition.
The opposition immediately responded to the arguments put forward, challenging certain interpretations of the law and highlighting formal elements that could have an impact on the court’s final decision.
At the end of these intense pleadings, the Fatshimetrie court reserved its decision, leaving suspense hanging over the outcome of this political-legal affair. This legal battle could well have major repercussions on the local and national political landscape. The citizens of Fatshimetrie are now eagerly awaiting the verdict that will determine the political future of the region.