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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to lead a team of 12 other lawyers that would defend the mandate of its candidate and president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in court.
A statement by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq Esq., on Tuesday, said the team comprises legal luminaries with vast experience in election petition matters, constitutional law, and litigation.
Other members of the team include Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq esq (Life Bencher), Sam Ologunorisa (SAN), Rotimi Oguneso (SAN), Olabisi Soyebo (SAN), Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), Muritala Abdulrasheed (SAN), Aliyu Omezia Saiki (SAN), Tajudeen Oladoja (SAN), Pius Akubo (SAN), Oluseye Opasanya (SAN), Suraju Saida (SAN) and Kazeem Aseniyi (SAN).
“The legal team consisting of twelve (12) Senior Advocates of Nigeria and the National Legal Adviser of the party, Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq Esq., is led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, a renowned lawyer who has successfully handled various high-profile election matters and other landmark cases.
“We are confident that the legal team possesses requisite expertise and experience to ensure a successful outcome for the APC in the Presidential Election Petition matters.
“We urge members of the party to support the team in its effort to defend the will and mandate of the people. We also call on all parties involved to conduct themselves with utmost professionalism and respect for the rule of law throughout the legal process,” the statement read.
Recall that the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, have approached the court to challenge the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 election.
The 12 lawyers appointed by the APC are expected to work with the 50 lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), already lined up by Tinubu to defend his mandate at the tribunal.