Rabiu Omaku
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia, The Nasarawa State capital has adjourned to the 10th of May,2023 for continuation of pre: hearing on a petition with reference number EPT/NAS/SN/02/2023.
One of the two senate petitions mentioned yesterday was the matter between the former House of Representatives member Hon. Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo and his petitioner The immediate past Governor and current Senator Representing Nasarawa South senatorial zone, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
The EPT Judge, in her submission, said the adjournment is to enable the petitioner to file their response to the response of the defense Counsel.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ediong Usungurua who is the first respondent in the petition said the inability of the petitioner to respond to the response of the defendant is clear evidence that the petitioner has conceded.
Adding that the standing rule is to respond within seven days , Stating that he filed a response on the 26th of April 2023, Other Judges in the team are Anana Nkeruuwen Esq,T.J Ehean while J.J Usman,John Mathew esq, A.O.F Philip and L.G.C Obachi stand in for the People’s Democratic Party.
Dr.S.E .Adekulekun led the team comprised of Ishaka.M.Ishaka held the brief of Robert Imokporo.
Another matter adjourned is the case between the incumbent member House of Representatives, Hon.Jonathan Gaza Gbwefi of the Social Democratic Party and Nuhu Sabo of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
The Nasarawa State National and State Houses of Assembly elections petition tribunal has commenced its sitting in Lafia, the state capital.
At the inaugural sitting in Lafia, the chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Francisca Nnang Isong stressed the need for Cooperation between counsels and the panel for speedy dispensation of justice.
Justice Francisca Nnang assured all parties in the petitions of fairness and justice.
She later adjourned sitting for Wednesday this week for pre-hearing.
Responding on behalf of the counsels, Barrister Ismail Idris expressed confidence in the ability of the jurists to dispense justice in all the petitions before the tribunal.
The tribunal has seventeen petitions comprising 2 Senate petitions, 5 House of Representatives petitions, and 10 State House of Assembly petitions.
