LG Elections: Tribunal Dismisses Councillor’s Petition

Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed a petition challenging the July 12, 2025, councillorship election in Ward D (Orire), Amuwo-Odofin local government area, for being vague, lacking merit and unsupported by credible evidence.

The petitioners had sought to nullify the election result for the second respondent, who was elected as a councillor representing the 3rd respondent (APC).

They alleged that the election did not occur in the 26 polling units and claimed that the second and third Respondents failed to secure the majority of lawful votes cast.

They further argued that the election process violated the Electoral Act (as amended) and the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Law of 2008.

However, Adedipupo Adewetan, counsel for LASIEC (the 1st Respondent), argued that the petition was based on hearsay rather than concrete evidence.

Adewetan submitted that the petitioners’ witnesses (Pw1 and Pw2) admitted during cross-examination that their testimonies were based on information provided by party agents. “Yet, those party agents were not presented to testify before the tribunal.”

He stated, “Allegations of corrupt practices or non-compliance must be proven by the one who asserts them,” and argued that Pw1 and Pw2, not being polling unit agents, lacked the legal capacity to testify about events at polling stations they did not oversee.

He referenced judicial precedents, including Emmanuel v. Umana & Ors (2016) and Ogburu v. Arthur (2016), to support his case and the presumption of regularity under Section 168 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

Adewetan urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition outright, labelling it frivolous and a waste of judicial resources.

The lawyer also asked that the tribunal impose costs on the petitioners to deter similar baseless suits in the future.

In delivering its judgment, the tribunal upheld the arguments presented by Adewetan and the other defence counsels. It held that the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegations with credible, cogent, and direct evidence, declaring the case “vague and lacking in merit.”

The tribunal dismissed the petition and awarded N2.5 million in costs in favour of each respondent.