The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has been ordered to appear before the Kogi Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday to give explanations on the bank’s role in the November 11, 2023, off-cycle election in Kogi.
The three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, issued the order following an application by Alex Izinyon, SAN, counsel for Kogi Governor Usman Ododo, the 2nd respondent in the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, News About Nigeria reports.
The tribunal had earlier issued a subpoena to the CBN governor or any of its officers to attend the proceedings and give evidence regarding the allegation that the petitioners filed the petition against Governor Ododo outside the 21 days allowed by law. However, no one represented the apex bank at the hearing on April 19.
Izinyon described the CBN’s failure to appear as “an act of contempt” and urged the tribunal to take action. The panel adjourned the matter until April 23 for the continuation of Governor Ododo’s defence and for the CBN to show cause.
Two witnesses, Enesi Adavi Mohammed, and Jimoh Onimisi Biodun, testified in defence of Governor Ododo’s election victory. The tribunal also granted Izinyon’s application for the record of proceedings to ensure accuracy.
Recall that Mr. Ododo emerged victorious in the November 2023 Kogi Election with 446,237 votes, surpassing his closest opponent, Murtala Ajaka of the SDP, who got 259,052 votes.
Governor Ododo succeeded former Governor Yahaya Bello, who served two terms from January 27, 2016, to January 27, 2024. Alongside his running mate Joel Salifu, they took the oath of office as governor and deputy governor, administered by Chief Justice Josiah Majebi, in January.
However, SDP candidate Murtala Ajaka contested the outcome of the election. Reacting to the swearing-in of Ododo, he encouraged the people of Kogi to remain hopeful and not be disheartened. Ajaka said the inauguration was merely a temporary development, as his case challenging the election outcome is pending before the Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.
