Babatunde Ogala, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former coordinator of President Bola Tinubu’s legal team, don clear the air say Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), no follow Tinubu do court case for the 2023 presidential election tribunal.
President Tinubu recently nominate Prof. Amupitan as the new INEC boss after Mahmood Yakubu finish him two-term tenure wey last 10 years. The Council of State for Thursday don give unanimous approval for the nomination, wey still dey wait for Senate confirmation.
Prof. Amupitan, 58 years old, na professor of law for University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, and him still serve as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) for the school.
But soon after the nomination, rumours begin fly say Amupitan follow among the lawyers wey defend Tinubu mandate for tribunal. Reacting to the talk, Ogala release statement on Friday where him sharply deny the report, say Amupitan no even near the 123 lawyers wey handle the case for Tinubu.
“As the former coordinator of that legal team, I feel compelled to set the records straight in the interest of truth and public confidence. Prof. Amupitan SAN was never, at any point, a member of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team,” Ogala talk.
He add say, “His name no appear among the over one hundred and twenty-three legal practitioners wey represent Tinubu, including sixty Senior Advocates of Nigeria. I challenge anybody wey dey spread this lie to bring proof.”
Ogala still talk say anybody fit apply for certified true copies of all court papers from the tribunal and supreme court to confirm say Amupitan name no dey the legal team list.
He warn Nigerians make dem no dey twist facts or spread false information wey fit disturb national peace, especially for sensitive political matters.
Checks by TheStreetNewspaper also confirm say Prof. Amupitan name no appear for the certified true copies of the tribunal or Supreme Court judgment.
