TRIBUNAL UPDATE: Omisore's Witness Fumbles Again
One of the witnesses called by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Moshood Adejare, to prove the allegation of malpractices in the August 9th governorship election failed to prove the allegation of overvoting he alleged in his witness statement on oath at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Adejare, who was called by counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had earlier adopted the statement he deposed to at the registry of the tribunal as his evidence before the court.
Adejare, a ward supervisor for PDP in Ede South during the poll had alleged overvoting among other irregularities before the tribunal.
However, the All Progressives Congress’ counsel, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, during cross examination confronted the witness with exhibit 207 which is result for the ward but he said he could not find evidence of overvoting there.
He added that his explanation might not have been full.
The counsel described him jokingly as a witness of truth and said he should be given an award by his religious leader.
The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, also challenged the witness to prove the allegation of superimposition which was contained in his deposition but he failed to establish this before the panel.
Asked what he superimposition meant, Adejare said, ” It is when you complain of irregularities and your complaints are not attended to.”
Another witness, Taofeek Opaleye, from Boripe Local Government Area of the state also alleged that eligible voters suspected to be supporters of the PDP were prevented from voting by some APC leaders.
He admitted that he voted but he stated that PDP agents were forced to sign election results.
The third witness, Oluwaseun Fapohunda, stunned the tribunal, when during cross examination, he said that Governor Rauf Aregbesola voted at his polling unit in Oriade Local Government whereas Aregbesola is from Ilesa in Ilesa West Local Government Area.
Fapohunda also alleged overvoting and he was presented exhibit 203 ( election result for his areas) but he said it was not clear after the counsel had given his ( counsel) glasses to the witness to assist him to read the result.
The tribunal’s proceedings are still going on.
DAILY TIMES