The Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has been accused of giving up his Nigerian citizenship by a witness from the Labour Party during a hearing at the Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal.
Olubusayo Fasidi, a U.S. Immigration lawyer and Nigerian citizen, claimed that Hamzat took an oath in the United States to renounce his Nigerian citizenship, NAN reported.
The witness, led by counsel Olumide Ayeni, presented documents related to Hamzat’s application for naturalization (Forms 8CFR/337 and N400).
However, objections were raised by the respondents’ counsels, who stated that their reasons for objection would be included in their final written addresses.
During cross-examination by counsel Eric Ogiegor from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Fasidi acknowledged that individuals can hold dual citizenship but admitted not being aware of the specific provisions regarding dual citizenship in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Fasidi clarified that she was subpoenaed to explain U.S. law, not Nigeria’s Constitution, before the tribunal.
When Bode Olanipekun, counsel for Hamzat and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, requested the jurisdiction and date of Hamzat’s naturalization application, Fasidi declined, citing protection under the Privacy Act of 1974.
The witness was asked by Norris Quakers, counsel for the All Progressives Congress (APC), if she was aware that Hamzat had disclosed his American citizenship. Fasidi confirmed this, and Quakers argued that the witness focused on legal issues rather than factual matters.
Justice Arum Ashom, leading the tribunal, admitted all the documents as evidence and instructed the respondents’ counsels to include their objections in their final written addresses.
