Tension As Court Reserves Judgment In Jegede’s Appeal Against Jimoh Ibrahim

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the substituted governorship candidate of the PDP in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, in the forthcoming November 26 election to challenge his replacement with Jimoh Ibrahim, who belongs to a rival faction.

After the Wednesday’s hearing, the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led 3-man panel said the date to deliver the judgment would be communicated to the parties through their lawyers.

The appeal is challenging the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of Federal High Court in Abuja on June 29 and October 14, 2016, which INEC acted on by dropping Jegede and replacing him with Ibrahim as the party’s standard bearer in the forthcoming election in the state.

Jegede belongs to Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of PDP while Ibrahim belongs to the party’s faction led by Ali Modu Sheriff.

Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel reserved judgment in the appeal after Jegede’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), adopted his client’s appellant’s brief amid opposition by respondents’ lawyer, Mr. Ben Nwofor (SAN).

The lawyer representing the PDP in the case, Mr. Godspower Mrakpor, also opposed the hearing of the appeal.

At a point, emotion began to flare up in the course of the proceedings.

The appeal panel had to cut short arguments in opposition to the hearing of the appeal and retreated to chambers to write a ruling.