By Adams Akorede
The Buruji Kashamu and Bayo Dayo-led faction of the Ogun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday lost an attempt to push the appellate court hearing till January 2019, thus paving way for the hearing of the appeal on the controversial gubernatorial candidate of the party.
Accordingly, the appellate court fixed the commencement of hearing to determine the true candidates of the party, contesting the 2019 elective offices in the umbrella party, within the next two weeks.
To this end, a statement by Dayo Rufai, Associate Media Head to Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organization said in view of the abridged time, the application for stay of execution has been withdrawn by the appellants.
The appellants have one day to file their brief of arguments while the respondents have 14 days to file their own brief of arguments.
Also, in addition the appellants have one day to file appellants reply brief of arguments. The court is expected to give a date for the hearing of the appeal.
According to the statement, in the opinion of the court and considering the nature of the instant case, it would be in the interest of justice to conclude this matter before the Christmas holiday.
While proving the stand of the appellant, Emeka Etiaba, SAN said Sikirulai Ogundele and Ladi Adebutu are still in charge and at the winning end of the case. He revealed that both Kashamu and Dayo had plans to extend the hearing till next year, but met the stiff rejection of the court of appeal.
“What happened in court today (Monday) is that parties appeared before the court of appeal and we had some applications, we had applications for stay of execution, and final proceedings at the lower court. We also had applications for abridgement of time, we also had another motion for amendment.
“We ’ve filed a new fresh appeal. We urged the court that since both parties are agreeable to an abridgement of time, which is an application we brought, the Buruji Kashamu respondent said three days were insufficient for them, so we conceded to 14 days. Within the next 16 days, both parties would have filed their brief and we’ll come here to adopt, thereafter we’ll hear the judgement of the court,” the appellant added.
