Kogi Governorship Tribunal: SDP serves APC petition through substituted means

After days of evading service, the All Progressives Congress, APC and its Governorship candidate, Usman Ahmed Ododo have effectively been served through substituted means by the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

The service kick-starts legal fireworks as the SDP Governorship candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu had through his team of lawyers submitted a petition marked No:EPT/KG/03/2023 challenging the declaration of APC’s candidate, Ododo Ahmed Usman by the Independent National Electoral Commission as winner.

The electoral umpire and Ododo Ahmed Usman are respondents in the suit instituted by Ajaka.

In the earlier exparte application, Ajaka and the SDP sought leave of the Court for an order of substituted service on the respondents after several attempts by the tribunal balif to effect personal service proved futile.

The application was granted by the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice
Justice Yusuf. A. B. K on December 13, 2023.

Following the Court Order, the service was effected on the National Secretariat of the All Progressive Congress, APC, National Headquarters, Abuja on Friday 15th December, 2023.

The contents of the Order requires all respondents, i.e the Independent National Electoral Commission and Ododo Ahmed Usman and APC to respond within 14 days.

After their responses, the petitioner, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and the SDP have 7 days after expiration of 14 days to reply to issues on point of law.

Speaking with journalists on the development, one of Muritala Ajaka’s legal teams, Barr. Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, called on supporters of SDP in Kogi State to remain calm.

He enjoined them to be prayerful as Legal Counsels and the SDP were working assiduously to ensure effective adjudication in favour of Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.