Plateau: Governorship Election Tribunal To Commence Trial on June 26th
The Petition of Dr. Nentawe Yilda Against the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Barrister Caleb Mutfwang and Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Nentawe who is the APC Governorship Candidate of the last General Election, is challenging the outcome of the Election.
The Petition was filled on the 9th of April,2023 and seeking the following issues of determination.
That whether Barrister Caleb Mutfwang was duly Qualified to contest the Election under the platform of PDP
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And whether the Election was Conducted in substantial Compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.
The Tribunal also dismissed the motion on notice of the Second respondents which was filled out seven days as required by the Law.
It is nulity and stand dismissed.
The Motion on notice filled by the Petitioners to amend some witnesses was partially granted while some were dismissed by the Court and said it is an attempt by the Petitioners to introduce new facts and cannot be allowed by the Tribunal.
After ruling on the two Applications,the Tribunal gave a pre-hearing report and solicited the cooperation of all the parties as they commences trial properly and it will be a moment of fireworks.
The time for cross Examination of star witnesses is 20 minutes,re Examining 5 minutes while 10 minutes allocated for the cross Examination of normal witnesses.
Furthermore,the sitting time will be from Monday to Friday.
From 9:30 Am to 1Pm and the afternoon session will start from 2 to 5pm the Friday sessions will be closing by 12:30PM .
Counsel to the 2nd Respondents,P.A Akubo SAN pleaded with the Tribunal to add ten minutes of the 20 minutes approved by the Tribunal on the cross Examination of the star witnesses.
In her response,the Tribunal assured that they will look into the matter and communicate all parties.
The Learned silk also assured the court that they will streamline the number of their Witnesses they have already offloaded .
The lead Counsel to the Petitioners, Professor Kayode Olatoke (SAN) said they needed time to enable them to tender Certified True Copies of the Electoral materials and BVAS,there was no objections from both the 1ft,2nd and 3rd respondents on the application.
The Lead Counsel to the 2nd respondents,P.A Akubo equally informed the court that Princes Lateef Fagbemi equally called him to align with them on the need to get more time to subpeon some of their Witnesses and tender CTC.
The Tribunal adjourned the matter to 26th June,2023 for the Petitioners, to prove their case.
