Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Isabo court,Abeokuta,the state capital was forced to abruptly adjourn sitting weekend after getting reports that political thugs were planning to attack the court.

It was during the hearing of the petition by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic party, Gboyega Isiaka, against the election of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

And Saturday was the last day for the Petitioners to close their case after calling the last witness and allow the Respondents to open their defence.

As the cross examination of the last witness, Benjamin Ibikunle (PW9) was being conducted by the counsel to the First Respondent, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), one of the Police officers attached to the court approached the judges informing them of imminent attack on the court.

Heavily armed police officers were immediately drafted to the court premises while Fagbemi was allowed to hurriedly conclude his cross examination on the witness.

A flustered Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Henry Olusiyi said the leaders of the political parties should advised their followers to eschew violence, warning that, they needed to protect the good image of the state.

“We just got a report that some people are planning to attack the court, all the leaders of the parties are here, we want you to appeal to your supporters, the state has maitained it’s good name.

“Appeal to your supporters, it is not a good thing that the tribunal is sitting and some people are planning to attack. So far, it has been smooth sailing, there is no point attacking anybody, we are here to do justice and there is no point attacking, don’t spoil the good name of this peaceful state.

“Why the threat of attack? It doesn’t make any sense, we are doing what God has asked us to do. It is impossible for anybody unless God is no more on our side, there is no point, tell your supporters”.

Earlier, the Tribunal had rejected ballot papers packed in over 80 INEC transparent bags from being admitted and marked as exhibit before the court.

The petitioners had moved to tender the ballot papers in their thousands as evidence through PW9, but this was vehemently objected by the Respondents.

Said Justice Olusiyi: “We have carefully considered the submission of counsel, these documents are undoubtedly original public document, the witness is not a maker of the ballot papers. PW9 is not an INEC official and the petitioners have not shown to us the circumstance to admit the document through him.

“No reason has been given for not calling the maker to tender the documents, they are not legally admissible through him. The documents are not legally admissible in evidence because,doing so, will amount to hearsay. They are not admitted in evidence and marked rejected number 1”,Olusiyi said.