Kaduna: Governorship tribunal adjourns till Friday
…as INEC closes defence, Gov Sani
The Kaduna State governorship election petition tribunal on Wednesday adjourned proceeding till tomorrow, Friday.
This is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 1st respondent in the petition against the election of Governor Uba Sani closed its case without presenting any witnesses.
Recall that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Isa Ashiru and his party are challenging the declaration of Sani as winner of the 2023 gubernatorial poll in the state.
The petition marked EPT/KD/Gov/4/23, is before the state governorship election petition tribunal.
At the proceeding on Wednesday, INEC, through its Counsel, Abdullahi M. Aliyu (SAN) presented before the tribunal documents titled: ‘ manual for election officials 2023, Regulations guidelines for conducts of elections 2022, and receipt payment for certification.
The documents were all admitted by the tribunal as exhibits, as the Commission said it has no witness against the petitioners.
However, the 2nd respondent failed to open his case as ordered by the tribunal at the last sitting.
During the proceedings, Duro Adeyele (SAN) who is the counsel to the 2nd respondent, Gov. Uba Sani told Justice Victor Oviawe’s led panel that he is not ready for the opening of his case, adding that his star witness was not available.
“My star witness is out of town. He is a student in Nasarawa, and he is writing an examination.
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“I have 30 witnesses, but I may not call all of them,” the 2nd respondent’s counsel told the tribunal.
The counsel sought the permission of the tribunal to allow him till Friday to present his witness before the three-man panel, being the last day allotted to the 2nd respondent to close his case.
The case was adjourned to Friday, 11th August 2023, for the continuation of examination in chief and cross-examination of witnesses.
