LG Election Trial Tribunal Commences Hearing Of Hon Ubandoma Joshua Laven Suit

Yakubu Busari

The Plateau State Local Government Election Trial Tribunal sitting  in Jos has resumed trial  on the suit filed by Ubandoma Joshua Laven  of the  People Democratic Party, PDP, challenging Hon Kparnim Nanloh  Amos  ,of All Progressive Congress, APC, who was declared winner of Langtang North local government council election.

In the  Plateau State Local Government council election petition trial tribunal Holden at West of mines Jos ,counsel to Hon Ubandoma Joshua, Barr. Harrison  Ugwalla told the court that the matter was slated for hearing which the pre-hearing within 14 days as provided for by the  electoral act in paragraph 18 under section 9 of the electoral law.

According to him, the pre-hearing dated between 17th December, 2018 where we all adopted answers to application been brought before this Honourable tribunal which confirm already the pre-hearing notice issue under the circumstances is not friendly to anybody.

Counsel to the 1st Defendant, Barr SSO bende argued that  they are not ready  pray for the court to adjourned the suit so as to enable him complete all the filing process.

He said the 90 days of the tribunal had already expired so he called on the tribunal Chairman to quash the decision of the appearance judgement that  order for  retrial of Ubandoma Joshua Laven .

The former Nigerian Barr Association, NBA, Chairman, Barr.  Ledak Dafer ,Counsel to  Plateau state Independent Electoral commission, PLASIEC,  supported the first defendant that the tribunal should stroke out the suit for lack of merit.

Plaintiff counsel, Barr Harrison Ugwalla urged the tribunal to nock their prayers under carpet that the agitation brought for adjournment of the tribunal sitting has no basic because this tribunal has no live span is no longer to enjoy the  90 days provision of section 86(3)  which mandatory provided

“You would recall that the PLASIEC on the 10th December, 2018 has declared Hon Kparnim Nanloh Amos as the winner of the Local Government council election of Langtang North “he said.

The Tribunal Chairman, Hon Justice J. K Binjin   has overruled that the adjournment is no necessary because of the infringement of right of the disputed and waste of time; we will not delay when the tribunal commence hearing with calling of the PW1

PW1 Mr Shedul Nanzing who’s a primary school teacher resident Madu told the court that he adopted his written statement dated 31st December, 2018, the statement ward results of Kelar were signed by all the agents of the political parties.

His witness statement was admitted and marked exhibit 1, saying the results collected in Kelar ward is the true reflection of polling units result sheet which was tendered.