Hon Laven Of Langtang North LGA Election Tribunal Case Trial Stalls By PLASIEC

Yakubu Busari

A case filed by Hon Ubandoma Joshua Laven of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP challenging the victory of Hon Kparnim Nanloh Amos election as the Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council has suffered another setback for non-availability polling units and wards result  sheets .

The counsel to the First  defendant at the  ongoing Plateau State Local Government  Council Election Petition trial tribunal Holden at West of mines, Barr Zulfa Rimven seeks from  the tribunal Chairman for adjournment of the  sitting to enable him obtain polling units and wards results of Langtang North Local Government Council.

The Chairman  of  Plateau State Independent Electoral commission, PLASIEC Mr Fibian  Ntung Ari ,  represented by the Secretary  on Thursday stalled the opening of defense when the Plaintiff counsel close their defense on Monday.

Rimven explained that their absence on the 10th Oct 2018 polling units and wards coalition results would affect his case, so he has written to PLASIEC  to produce the wards, polling units for onward inspection.

According to him, he understand that the matter was for  the first respondent to open his defense, we apply for Subpoena which has been  pushed and  we also applied for copies of polling units and wards results of Langtang North LGA.

Zulfa told the tribunal that PLASIEC couldn’t make available to him due to  inability of the Chairman of Plateau State independent Electoral commission to furnish him with the details to be tender before this Honourable tribunal.

However, counsel to the 2nd respondent, Barr Sunday  Obende told the trial tribunal that  he didn’t object to the application.

The Counsel to  PLASIEC  Barr Ledak Dafer also said no objections  but explained that due to  the difficulty process for the Chairman to go into the room to begin searching for the result sheets of Langtang North LGA, the Chairman order the secretary to do so when the he the (secretary) is in court.

The plaintiff counsel, Barr Oguala Harrison also didn’t object to the application, urging the defense counsel to ensure that the produce the needed documents to fast track speeding judgement and not delay .

Justice J. K Binjin has adjourned the sitting to 24th April, 2019 for  the first defendant, Hon Kparnim Nanloh Amos to open his defense.