FROM THE PLATEAU STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL:

• Surprises as Tribunal resumes;
• INEC closes its case!
• Lalong and APC open their defense on a sloppy note;
• Tribunal forced to adjourn suddenly two times;

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal resumed sitting in Jos on Wednesday, July 25, 2019, after a two-week break.

Sen (Gen) Jeremiah Timbut Useni and the Peoples Democratic Party who are challenging the outcome of the election had called a total of 71 witnesses and tendered over three hundred exhibits within ten days before closing their case on July 17, 2019.

The three Respondents – INEC, Simon Bako Lalong and APC, had assured the tribunal they would take further steps at resumption in the interest of “better case management.”

The 1st Respondent, was therefore expected to open their case today.

However, in a move that surprised everyone in court, including the Tribunal, INEC announced that they would call no witness, and closed their case!

It meant then that they were leaving the case of the Petitioners unchallenged.

The legal implication being that the Petitioners pleadings, evidence and documents tendered are unrebutted and deemed admitted by INEC.

The stage was then set for the 2nd Respondent, Simon Lalong to open his case.

But his lead Counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, apologized to the tribunal over their inability to assemble their witnesses.

They were able to tender only a few certified true copies of Form EC8As and voters registers.

Tribunal Chairman, Hon Justice HA Saleeman reminded the Respondents that “Time is against us. You should call your witnesses immediately.”

She had to adjourn proceedings at the request of the Respondents for four hours. But even then, there no witnesses to present when the tribunal resumed at 2pm.

They requested another adjournment to Thursday, July 26, complaining that “It is not easy to get witnesses to come and testify.”

This point was not lost on Benson Igbanoi, who led the Petitioners’ nine-member legal team today. And he retorted, “The tables have turned, melords. See how easy it is to get the witnesses in!”

The matter continues on Thursday with Simon Bako Lalong expected to produce his witnesses.

Yiljap Abraham

Media Consultant to
Sen (Gen) Jeremiah T Useni,

July 25, 2019

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Plateau Guber Tribunal: Surprises as Tribunal resumes, INEC Closes its Case