The apex court on Friday dismissed Ademola Adeleke’s appeal challenging the declaration of Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the Osun State governorship election.
DAILY POST reports that in the lead judgment by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, the apex court declared that the absence of the judge who read the majority decision of the election tribunal made the judgment a nullity.
The judge upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal that the proper thing to have been done in the absence of Justice Peter Obiorah was to start the entire trial afresh.
Four of the seven Justices of the apex court sat to deliver the judgment, with Justice Rhodes Vivour presiding.
There was a majority judgment of 5 and dissenting judgment of 2, ruling in Oyetola’s favor.
N.O.O Oke and Dr. Paul Ananaba both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) led the legal representation for Adeleke and PDP, while Abiodun Olaide announced appearance for Oyetola.
Adesina Agbede announced appearance for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reacting to Supreme Court ruling, Oyetola who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Adeshina Adeniyi, in an interview with NAN, said he was happy with the judgment.
Oyetola, who dedicated the victory to God and the people of the state, said he believed that justice had been done.
The governor said he was ready to serve the people of the state faithfully and diligently.
