The Lagos State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has thrown out a petition challenging the July 12, 2025 councillorship election in Ward D (Orire), Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, describing it as vague, lacking in merit, and unsupported by credible evidence.
The petitioners had asked the tribunal to nullify the return of the 2nd Respondent who contested as a councilor on the platform of the 3rd respondent (APC), alleging that the election did not hold in 26 polling units, and that the 2nd and 3rd respondents failed to secure the majority of lawful votes cast.
They claimed that the process violated the Electoral Act (as amended) and the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Law, 2008.
However, counsel to LASIEC (1st respondent), Mr. Adedipupo Mickey Adewetan, faulted the entire petition, insisting it was built on hearsay rather than concrete proof. Mr. Adewetan pointed out that the petitioners’ witnesses (Pw1 and Pw2) admitted under cross-examination that their testimonies were based on what party agents told them. Yet, those party agents were never presented to give evidence before the tribunal.
“Allegations of corrupt practices or non-compliance must be proved by the one who asserts them,” Adewetan submitted, arguing that Pw1 and Pw2, not being polling unit agents, lacked the legal capacity to testify about events at polling stations they did not supervise.
He relied on judicial precedents, including Emmanuel v. Umana & Ors (2016) and Ogburu v. Arthur (2016), and the presumption of regularity under section 168 of the Evidence Act, 2011 to back his case.
The LASIEC counsel, Mr. Adewetan, further urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition outright, stressing that it was frivolous and a waste of judicial time.
He also requested that costs be imposed on the petitioners to deter similar baseless suits in future.
Counsel to the 2nd respondent, Mr. Adebisi Oridate, in his final address dated September 13, 2025, adopted a similar position, asking the tribunal to determine whether the petitioners had, from the totality of their evidence, established that elections were not conducted in the listed polling units.
Delivering judgment, the tribunal upheld the submissions of Adewetan and other defense counsels.
It held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations with credible, cogent and direct evidence, and ruled that the case was “vague and lacking in merit.”
Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the petition and awarded ₦2.5 million cost in favour of each of the respondents.
The ruling was endorsed by Tribunal Chairman, Hon. Justice S.O. Solebo (Rtd.), and members C.M. R.O. Davies, C.M. O.O. Fowowe-Erusafe (Mrs.), C.M. A.S. Odusanya (Mrs.), and C.M. L.Y. Balogun, with Adekeye N. Ademola, Assistant Chief Registrar, certifying it as a true copy.
With this decision, the tribunal has affirmed the election of the councillor representing Ward D (ORIRE) in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government.
