The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal in Lokoja has granted the request of Counsel to the first applicant in the recently concluded governorship election, Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to access election materials. The order was issued following an application filed by S.E Aruwa, SAN, who expressed the challenges of accessing 42 items used in the election to proceed with the case. The Presiding Tribunal Judge, Justice Yusuf Ado Birnin-Kudu, stated that the application was in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the Electoral Law 2023. The tribunal granted the application for access to certified copies within two days and also compelled INEC to allow access to BVAS and other electronic materials used. Lead Counsel to Muritala Ajaka and SDP, John Adele SAN, expressed optimism about INEC’s compliance with the tribunal’s ruling.
