The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has called upon Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to appear before it on Tuesday to clarify the bank’s involvement in the state’s November 11, 2023 election.
This summon follows an application filed by Alex Izinyon (SAN), representing Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who is the second respondent in the petition brought forth by the Social Democratic Party and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka.
Izinyon’s application stemmed from the CBN governor’s refusal to honor a subpoena issued by the tribunal on April 18.
He denounced the bank’s non-compliance as contemptuous and emphasized the urgency of the matter due to its time-bound nature.
While addressing the tribunal, Izinyon stressed that the CBN team must appear on Tuesday to provide evidence, failing which it would be duly noted in the court record.
“If by tomorrow, we call our last witnesses and they (CBN officers) are not here, we urge my lord to look at our application in the interest of justice,” The Punch quoted him as saying.
Echoing Izinyon’s sentiments, other counsels including those representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed support for the application.
The tribunal, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, affirmed the subpoena’s authority, clarifying that it is a directive issued in the name of the President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Condemning the CBN’s correspondence indicating unavailability until April 26 as contemptuous, the panel adjourned the proceedings until April 23 to allow for the continuation of the second respondent’s defense and for the CBN to explain its actions.
