Useni Vs Lalong Governorship Election Tribunal Adjourns Till 15th August For Adoption Of Written Address

Yakubu Busari

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos has adjourned to  August 15th ,2019  for adoption of written addresses as the 1st respondent INEC failed to present witness to the ongoing tribunal ,the second respondent  Governor Simon Lalong brought about six witnesses and APC had about 9 witness which they   closed their defence.

Justice Halimat .A. Saleeman, the Chairman of 3 man on , Governorship election tribunal, said  the tribunal had to give five days for counsels to exchange their final written addresses  after Lalong and APC closed their defence with total of  18 witnesses.

LT.-Gen. Jeremiah Timbut  Useni of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) was challenging the victory of Gov. Lalong  the 2019 general elections at the election tribunal.

Barr. Garba Pwul, SAN, Counsel for the APC, at the tribunal said, “these 18 witnesses taken were the only witnesses we prepared for our defence in this case before this honourable tribunal.

“My Lord, with this last witness, Mr Peter Damulak from Shimankar Polling Unit, who is the 18 witness, we hereby wish to close our defense.

“We wish to express our gratitude to you for your patience with us right from the beginning of this petition, ” Pwul said.

Benson Ibenor, PDP Counsel, and Mutiu Akinrinmade, INEC Counsel however did not object to the application made by Pwul.

Justice Saleeman gave Counsel four days within which to prepare for their written addresses and replies.

“We are giving each of you four days within which to prepare your written address and replies.

“Having appreciate all Counsels in the matter for your commitments in making the task of this tribunal an easy one, this goes along way to say that we are one, invisible and a family of the legal profession.

“You should also note that Counsel to petitioners and parties involved were given time accordingly to present their cases to the best of their abilities.

“Likewise tribunal needs to review all that you presented to it.

“In view of these facts, we hereby fix Aug. 15 for presentation and adoption of written addresses,” She declared.

The Plateau Governorship Election Petition Tribunal  witnesses confirmed some irregularities during the 2019 general elections in the state.

Mr Sani Inusa, Munzeli Lawal and Abdullahi Maigoro, defence witnesses of the All Progressives Congress (APC), gave some startling revelations on hiw result sheets of their respective polling units in Jos North Local Government.

On resumption of hearing of Lalong’s and INEC defence ,  Inusa confirmed to the tribunal that the number of valid votes and rejected votes surpassed the number of accredited voters at the Sarai Mangu polling unit, where he served as APC Agent.

Mr Sunday Odey, Counsel to Useni had, during cross-examination, asked Inusa of the actual number of valid votes recorded on Exhibit P25 and he answered, “374 votes “

“What was the actual number of the accredited voters for your polling unit? Odey asked. “374 voters, “ Unusa answered.

“Look at exhibit very well and tell us the number of rejected votes recorded, “ Odey asked and Sani replied, “ 14 votes “.

The petitioner’s counsel, who also cross examined Lawal, APC agent at Dilimi polling unit, confirmed to the tribunal that there were some alterations on the original result sheet, which also reflected on the duplicate copy.

“Look at Exhibit P94 and P94A and tell us whether the alterations done on the original copy of the result sheet reflected on on the duplicate copy (P94A)? Odey asked.

“Yes they reflected on the duplicate

Odey continued, “Look at column one to six and tell this Tribunal whether there were addition of figures or not on the original copy?”

The witness said, “ yes it’s true there are additions on the copies.”

“The additions were done with the consent of all party agents, Lawal explained.

Also testifying, during cross examination, Maigoro, APC agent told the tribunal that the alterations done on the original copy of the result sheet didn’t reflect on the duplicate copy.

Odey asked, “ Look at exhibit P60A, the duplicate result sheet, is there alteration on it as on the original copy?”

Maigoro  responded, “No, the alterations do not reflect on duplicate because we effected them at the Collation centre.”

“Look at it again, is there any signature of an INEC official on it?” Odey further asked. And Maigoro said, “No, there isn’t.”

“Why isn’t there any INEC official’s signature on it?” Odey asked.

The witness said, “ because there was alterations on the copy.”

Mr Garba Pwul SAN, however, told the tribunal that the witnesses that testified on Monday were all that they had for the day in their defence and asked for an adjournment to enable them review their remaining witnesses for July 30.

All other counsel in the matter did not object to the application for adjournment.

The Chairman of the Tribunal,Mrs H.A. Suleeman frowned at the application which she described as too early for the day looking at the time at their disposal.

“We hope this attitude won’t repeat itself more that we yet to collect the remaining list of your witnesses and evidences considering the time at our disposal, “ she said.

The tribunal adjourned the case until July to July 30 for continuation of hearing of defence.

Some of the witnessed told the tribunal that they  did not sign against the alterations in forms EC8A’s  the Petition .