The Gulu High Court has adjourned the election petition case between outgoing Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and his opponent for the Omoro County seat, Simon Toolit Akech.
The adjournment was made by Justice David Matovu who postponed the case to May 23. Matovu is the resident judge of Mbabara but has been sent by the judiciary to Gulu high court to hear election petition cases.
Justice David Matovu said if Oulanyah or someone authorized by law fails to turn up on the new date, the case will be heard in his absence.
Lawyer Deo Kizito of the Rwakafuzi Company& advocates who represented Simon Toolit told the press in Gulu that it was very unfortunate that the matter did not kickoff.
“It is very unfortunate that the matter did not kick off today as planned. We hope that on Monday next week it will all be fine. We expect Oulanyah to be present so that the matter is resolved”, said Kizito.
Simon Toolit who is also the FDC chairman for Gulu district and a former member of parliament representing Omoro in the 8th parliament said he expects to get justice in court.
“Even when he (Oulanyah) has been sworn in as the deputy speaker of parliament, I do not mind. I know the court will do its best to find out the truth of what happened on February 18, 2016 in Omoro County,” said Toolit.
Simon Toolit accuses Jacob Oulanyah of vote rigging on 18th February 2016 parliamentary elections. Toolit maintains that the electoral commission should consider a re-run for the Omoro County parliamentary seat. He claims the parliamentary elections in Omoro was undermined by massive election rigging in favour of Oulanyah.
Oulanyah has in past comments denied the allegations.
Media reports quoted Oulanyah today as saying that he did not receive summons to the election petition hearing. Toolit’s lawyers however insist Oulanyah was served with the summons.
Oulanyah is standing for re-election as deputy speaker again tomorrow, Thursday. He is being challenged by Kampala Central member of parliament Muhammad Nsereko.
According to election results released by the electoral Commission on February 18, 2016, Oulanyah, who is also the incumbent Omoro County MP, polled 8,218 votes while his rival Simon Toolit (FDC), polled 6,823 votes.
