Court adjourns Ondo senatorial primary case till August

The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has reserved judgement for August 30, 2022, over the case instituted by the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Nicholas Tofowomo, against a former deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi over the senatorial primary of the party.

Ajayi defeated Tofowomo in the senatorial primary, held in Okitipupa town, Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state on May 20, 2022.

After the primary, Tofowomo approached the court seeking disqualification Ajayi on the grounds that he (Ajayi) was allegedly involved in perjury and an education scandal.

Tofowomo, in a suit number: FHC/CS/AK/ 83 /2022 alleged that Ajayi has a controversial academic record and also lied on oath in his form, which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for clearance for the poll.

Punch reports that the senator stated that Ajayi did not meet the constitutional requirements for contesting the 2023 general election as contained in the interpretation and application of Section 66 (1) (i) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 29(5) & (6) of the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as other relevant laws.

During the proceeding, Tofowomo’s counsel, Mr Femi Emodamori, drew the attention of the court to a further counter affidavit submitted to discredit an affidavit of evidence pleaded by Ajayi’s lawyer, Prof Kayode Olatoke, to defend the allegation of perjury against his client.

But the defence counsel argued that the allegation of perjury against his client was unfounded.

After hearing the arguments of all the parties through their lawyers, the presiding judge, Justice R.M Alkawa has fixed August 30, 2022, to deliver his judgement.