Mutfwang Closes Case at the Governorship election Tribunal.
The trial at Plateau state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, is gradually Coming to an end as the Second respondents, that’s Governor Caleb Mutfwang Close his defence on Wednesday.
The Respondence presented only three witnesses in defending the Petition of Dr. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwada,the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March Governorship Election against Caleb Mutfwang of PPD.
At the Resumption on Wednesday,the Lead Counsel to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, P.A Akubo inform the court that the matter is for continuation of defense by the second respondents and having called three witnesses and carefully reviewed the petition and inorder not to waste the time of the court,we will close our case.
The learned silk appreciated the Lordships for the opportunity.
In his response,the Lead Counsel to the Petitioners,Y.A. Ruba said he is proud of the learned silk for the sudden closing of their case and no need object the application.
The Court ask the third respondents to open her defense and counsel to the third respondents that’s People’s Democratic party (PDP).
Emeka Etiaba ask the court for a stand down to 1Pm to enable them assemble their witnesses.
He told the tribunal that they will try and close their case this week.
The Tribunal resume by 1Pm to continue with the defense but the Counsel pleaded with the Tribunal to still add more one hour to enable his witness to arrive and the tribunal again granted the request.
At the Resumption by 2Pm.
Emeka Etiaba (SAN) appreciate the Court for the time and I will start by adopting our second schedule of documents same was filed today,16-8-2023 and it contains 41 documents which the third respondents relied on defending the Petition.
The learned Senior Counsel added that in addition to the evidence elucidate in the cross examination of other witnesses.
When the Counsel make attempt to tender the documents,the petitioners Counsel vehemently opposed to the admissibility and cited section 12 sub section 3 of the electoral act.
He further argued that the documents were not pleaded for especially the item 16 which is a video clip they sought to play and the position of the law is very clear.
Ruba said they will reserve their arguments to the final written address stage.
The attention of the Counsel to the Third respondents was drawn by the Tribunal on their first schedules that they have tendered earlier before the court and whether it should be stroke out, he applied for the withdrawal of the items 14 and 15 and the Schedule was stroke out.
The Second Schedules documents were admitted and marked as Exhibits 3RA to 3RS.
Mr. Etiaba further told the court that they have a demonstration to make with a Television and was allowed to go ahead.
The Petitioners Counsel, Swiftly responded and said they have not seen the copy of what they want to display and the witness they will cross examined .
The Tribunal concur with him and said at this stage,we cannot ambush .
The Court ordered him to served all the parties copies of what they intend to display in order to enable them prepare for their responses.
He then requested for additional 30 minutes to enable them to photocopy the documents and serve them.
The Court vehemently rejected it that’s enough and we can’t take it.
The Tribunal advice them to come back tomorrow and do the needful and the matter was adjourned to tomorrow by 10Am.
