Labour Party’s Rhodes-Vivour appeals tribunal ruling on Sanwo-Olu with 21 grounds

Gbadebo-Rhodes Vivour (GRV), the Lagos State Labour Party’s governorship candidate, has taken legal action by filing a Notice of Appeal before the Court of Appeal in Lagos. This move challenges the State Governorship Tribunal’s decision, which upheld the election victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Notice of Appeal, prepared by his lawyer Olagbade Benson along with 12 others, was officially submitted on Saturday, October 7th. It encompasses 21 grounds of appeal and has been duly served to the respondents: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governor, his deputy Obafemi Hamzat, and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The grounds of appeal touch on various legal aspects, including the reliance on a previous Court of Appeal decision to strike out the evidence of subpoenaed witnesses and the handling of witnesses by the Tribunal. Additionally, the appeal questions the burden of proof concerning specific oaths and citizenship issues.

Among the key contentions is the failure of the Tribunal to disqualify Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, given allegations of the deputy’s allegiance to the United States and alleged breaches in the respondents’ Final Written Address filing.

GRV’s appeal seeks to challenge the entirety of the Governorship Election Tribunal’s decision, except for the aspects that were favorable to the appellant.