…Ize-Iyamu files appeal over running mate disqualification
There is anxiety among supporters of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, members of the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, and its candidate in the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as the Federal High Court in Abuja will Saturday (today) deliver judgement rule on alleged forgery and perjury case brought against the governor by the APC and a member of the party, William Edobor.
After the exchange of legal fireworks on the pre-election case the parties on Thursday adopted their written addresses and the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Muhammed fixed today for judgement.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a PDP member and Obaseki’s associate who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Everybody is waiting for the judgement.
Some of us are restless. “But we are confident because our legal team did a good job and from my view, they could not prove any case of forgery, so we expect a favourable ruling.”
Also, a supporter of Ize-Iyamu and APC member who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “With what we have presented before the court, we are 99 per cent sure of victory.”
Meanwhile, Ize-Iyamu has appealed the judgement of the state High Court which nullified the candidacy of his running mate, Audu Ganiyu.
The court, presided by Justice Hellen Courage-Ogbebo, on Wednesday declared Ganiyu’s candidacy as invalid for giving false information to the Independent Electoral Commission in the form EC9 affidavit to enable him to contest the election in the state.
The trial judge delivered the judgement in a suit filed by Kadiri Oshoakpemhe against the APC deputy governorship candidate and others.
Ize-Iyamu appealed the judgement on the basis that the trial judge erred in law when he held that the suit between Kadiri Oshoakpemhe (first respondent) against Audu Ganiyu (second respondent) and others was not statute-barred by virtue of the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Ize-Iyamu prayed the court to set aside the judgement of the trial court and dismiss the first respondent for failing to prove his claim rooted in allegation of commission of crime beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
