Osun tribunal verdict: one other headache for Adeleke
The Osun tribunal verdict has caused a serious headache and panic for the incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke. The court has sacked him as the governor on the ground that he is not the constitutionally and democratically elected governor of the state.
The governor and the People’s Democratic Party have however decided to appeal the majority ruling of the tribunal. There’s another headache for the governor, which, it seems, he is not taking note.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has initially declared Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the election. The APC and its candidate Adegboyega Oyetola approached the court arguing that there’s over voting in more than 700 units in the state.
After a series of arguments, two of the three members of the panel agreed that Adegboyega Oyetola was the winner of the poll having deducted results of the affected units. That is the first headache of Ademola Adeleke, and he is using the necessary and normal pills.
However, the tribunal agreed that Ademola Adeleke truly forged the certificate he presented. The governor submitted one particular credential which has become an object of litigation now.
The three-man panel unanimously agreed that the governor forged the result, however, the panel didn’t sack him based on that. The court said he had submitted another valid credential which is enough for him to contest.
That should be a new headache for the governor, who is popular for his dancing skills. He should really be worried about the fact that he is to face a criminal charge when he leaves the office or he is finally sacked.
Forgery is a criminal offence in the Nigerian constitution and it is punishable under the same law. The court has hitherto agreed and confirmed that Mr. Ademola Adeleke forged the certificate. The court handles a civil matter and it can’t punish Adeleke by sentencing him.
He is enjoying immunity right now. What happens when the immunity and his tenure is over? Of course, the police would need to do their job by arresting and detaining him. Then, the criminal court should do the needful.
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