The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned for judgment on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in the highly contentious suit challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
Starnews NG reports that the legal battle between Dr Olumuyiwa Daramola and the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Jimi Odimayo, took a dramatic turn following allegations of forgery and the presentation of video evidence in open court.
The APC and Odimayo’s legal team have maintained that no replacement of candidates took place and that the primary election held on 16 May 2026 legitimately declared Odimayo the winner. To support this claim, the party tendered an official result sheet showing Odimayo polling a landslide victory:
- Odimayo: 5,186
- Daramola: 2,402
- Temitope Iwagun: 76
- Adekanle Olujimi: 53
- Bidemi Obayangban: 21
- Kehinde Ikuyinminu: 95
- Omniniyi Adewale: 214
- Dele Omoseyin: 413
- Total votes cast: 8,460
The tendered result sheet carried the names and signatures of Wale Oganmade (Federal Constituency Collation Officer) and Iton Iruroma Dabibi Harry (Electoral Committee Chairman).
Both APC and Odimayo’s counsel urged the court to dismiss Dr Daramola’s suit, arguing that Odimayo was the winner of the primary and was duly elected and returned as such.
The Turn of Events: Allegations of Forgery
In a stark twist during court sessions on 24 August 2026, the case shifted heavily when the very officials listed on the APC’s result sheet turned against the document.
- Affidavits and Oral Testimony: Wale Oganmade and Iton Iruroma Dabibi Harry led testimony in favour of Dr Daramola. Both deposed to affidavits stating they never signed any result sheet declaring Odimayo the winner.
- Forgery Claim: Under oath, they explicitly told the court that the signatures appearing on the APC-tendered result sheet were forged. They maintained that Odimayo did not win the majority of valid votes cast.
Broadcast Video Played in Open Court
The final blow to the defence’s argument came during the 3 September proceedings. Dr Daramola’s lead counsel, Remi Olatubora, presented a multi-layered wave of evidence that left the defence with little room to manoeuvre:
- INEC Certified True Copies (CTC): Dr Daramola’s team presented the official, certified results directly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which tallied with that of the APC duly signed by Wale Ogunmade, the collation officer and the electoral committee chairman, which affirmed Dr Daramola as the rightful winner.
- Live Video Evidence: A televised broadcast video was played in the open courtroom on 3 September 2026. The footage clearly showed the Electoral Committee Chairman publicly declaring Dr Olumuyiwa Daramola as the winner of the primary election.
- Objections Overruled: Attempts by Odimayo and the APC’s legal teams to object to the admissibility of the video were overruled by the presiding judge.
Awaiting Final Judgment
With all testimonies led, cross-examinations concluded, and evidence submitted, the court officially closed the hearing phase. The matter has been formally adjourned until 19 October 2026, when the Federal High Court will deliver its final judgment on who legally represents the APC for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
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