The Supreme Court has awarded a cost of N10 million cost against Akin Alabi, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Egbeda /Ona-Ona House of Representatives in Oyo State for filing a frivolous application against Hon.Busari Olayemi’s petition at the Election Petition Tribunal.
It would be recalled that Olayemi through his counsel,Barr.Tunji Ogunrinde had approached the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Ibadan challenging INEC declaration of Alabi as winner for Egbeda/Ona-Ara House of Representatives in Oyo State.
The panel of the Supreme Court in their unanimous judgment on Wednesday rule in favour of Hon. Busari Olayemi of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) who contested against Alabi for the same constituency during the Feb.25 National Assembly Election.
Alabi had appealed at the Supreme Court the decision of the Court of Appeal Ibadan Division which ruled in favour of Olayemi.
Alabi had prayed the court to dismiss Olayemi’s petition at the tribunal for not complying with the electoral Act 2022.
The panel of the Supreme Court presided over by Hon. Justice Abbaji, Hon.Justice Adamu Jauro, Hon. Justice Tijani Abubakar and Hon. Justice Agim affirmed the decision of the tribunal and that of the court of Appeal saying Olayemi’s petition was meritorious and should be heard.
The supreme court threw away Alabi’s application and awarded a cost of N10 million against him in favour of Olayemi.
The Counsel to Olayemi, Barr.Tunji Ogunrinde who was present at the Supreme Court during the judgment, commended the Justices for their judgment and for always be the last hope of the common man.
The coast is now clear for Hon.Busari Olayemi to continue to prosecute his petition and present all his evidence at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.
