Barely 24 hours after the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal summoned all parties for its final verdict, documents alleged to be the tribunal’s judgment surfaced online, igniting widespread confusion and debate.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had on March 3 reserved judgment on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The tribunal later scheduled its ruling for Wednesday, directing both parties to appear in court.
However, before the official judgment could be delivered, copies of a document claiming to be the tribunal’s decision were widely circulated online. The leaked files allegedly reveal a split decision among the judges.
According to the documents, the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Kpochi, and Justice A. B. Yusuf ruled in favor of Governor Monday Okpebholo, dismissing the PDP’s petition and affirming his election. However, the third judge, Justice A. A. Adewole, reportedly dissented, declaring Okpebholo’s election invalid due to irregularities. He purportedly ruled that Ighodalo won the election with 243,113 votes against Okpebholo’s 210,326 and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo.
Barely 24 hours after the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal summoned all parties for its final verdict, documents alleged to be the tribunal’s judgment surfaced online, igniting widespread confusion and debate.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had on March 3 reserved judgment on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The tribunal later scheduled its ruling for Wednesday, directing both parties to appear in court.
However, before the official judgment could be delivered, copies of a document claiming to be the tribunal’s decision were widely circulated online. The leaked files allegedly reveal a split decision among the judges.
According to the documents, the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Kpochi, and Justice A. B. Yusuf ruled in favor of Governor Monday Okpebholo, dismissing the PDP’s petition and affirming his election. However, the third judge, Justice A. A. Adewole, reportedly dissented, declaring Okpebholo’s election invalid due to irregularities. He purportedly ruled that Ighodalo won the election with 243,113 votes against Okpebholo’s 210,326 and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo.
While the majority decision acknowledged some irregularities, it stated that the PDP failed to prove they were significant enough to alter the election’s outcome. Citing past Supreme Court rulings, Justices Kpochi and Yusuf argued that errors in collation and exclusions did not change the margin of victory or establish Ighodalo as the lawful winner.
The leak has raised concerns about the security of judicial documents and the credibility of the tribunal’s proceedings. The authenticity of the leaked judgment remains unverified, and the tribunal is yet to comment on the situation.
While the majority decision acknowledged some irregularities, it stated that the PDP failed to prove they were significant enough to alter the election’s outcome. Citing past Supreme Court rulings, Justices Kpochi and Yusuf argued that errors in collation and exclusions did not change the margin of victory or establish Ighodalo as the lawful winner.
The leak has raised concerns about the security of judicial documents and the credibility of the tribunal’s proceedings. The authenticity of the leaked judgment remains unverified, and the tribunal is yet to comment on the situation.
