* Sylva, APC allege bias
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The three-member panel of the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday adjourned hearing in the petition filed by Chief Timipre Sylva and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the election of Governor Duoye Diri.
The adjournment on the instance of the petitioners was to await the decision of the Court of Appeal President, Mrs Monica Dongban-mensem, on a petition against the three-member panel led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye.
The tribunal had, last week, adjourned to Monday, March 4 for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to open its defence of the November 11, 2023, governorship election that produced Diri as re-elected Governor of Bayelsa State.
However, when the case was called, the counsel to the petitioners, Mr R. O. Balogun (SAN), informed the tribunal of a petition and letter written to the President of the Court of Appeal and the secretary of the tribunal, complaining of bias and lack of fair hearing.
Balogun said the petition specifically asked the president to disband the panel and constitute a new one, adding that the petitioners still have up till May 28, for the expiration of their petition.
He therefore urged the tribunal to adjourn further proceedings pending the decision of the Court of Appeal President.
Although, INEC, Diri, and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, had initially opposed the request for adjournment, but made a u-turn, after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed out that it is the petitioners’ case and they can spend the whole year, arguing it.
Subsequently, Justice Adeleye announced that hearing in the petition is adjourned sine-die.
Details later…
