As both the ruling parties in Kano state, the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), were allegedly trading words over the likely outcome of the governorship ruling, the Election Petition Tribunal has reserved its ruling for an unannounced date.
It will be recalled that the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal on Monday reserved judgement in a petition filed by the APC challenging the victory of Gov Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP
The APC is challenging INEC for declaring Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP as the winner of the election that was conducted on March 18, 2023.
However, the respondents in the petition are INEC, Kabir Yusuf, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The three-member panel led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, however, disclosed that the tribunal would communicate the date for the judgement after all parties had adopted their final written addresses.
She then added, “We will be fair. Be rest assured that we will read what the law says and we will read it to the best of our knowledge.”
According to her, “I am honoured and privileged that this is my first assignment as the Chairman of a Tribunal, and I prayed to God to guide me in upholding the integrity of my job.
The APC, Offiong Offiong SAN, in adopting his final written addresses dated July 31, Aug. 6, Aug. 7, and Aug. 8, replied on points of law.
“We urge the court to adopt our written addresses as our argument and urge the tribunal to uphold our petition and grant our reliefs.
According to him,’ The second respondent brought two membership registers before and after the election. The membership number is inconsistent.’
He therefore hinted that with that, it indicated that the second respondent was not a member of the NNPP before the election; he became a member after the election.
He further stated that ” All the ballot papers used in some local Local governments were not signed, stamped and dated.”
However, also adopting, Counsel to INEC, Emmanuel Osayomi, filed a written address dated Aug. 1 and filed Aug. 2.
He noted that ‘ We also filed our final written address dated August 14, written address on the admissibility of documents on August 1, and a point of law on August 31.”
Osayomi urged the court to dismiss the petition on the grounds that the petitioner did not prove his case.
While the Counsel to Governor Kabir-Yusuf, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, filed his final written dated July 31 and filed on August 1,
“We filed our written addresses on points of law dated and filed Aug. 11. We filed an objection to the petition and the admissibility of the witness.
“We also filed additional authorities on August 18. I pray to my Lord to dismiss this petition.
Awomolo then stated, ” I urge my Lord to disregard the position of Pw31’s statement of oath dated May 26; there is no evidence.”
But in his response, the Counsel to the NNPP, John Olusola-Baiyeshea SAN, adopted in his written addresses dated July 30 and filed July 31
He prayed for the tribunal to dismiss the petition absolutely, saying, “This is the most unapproved petition”.
While the Petitioner closed his case with 32 witnesses before the tribunal, INEC closed their case without presenting any witnesses on July 20.
Governor Yusuf closed his case on July 22, with the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdullahi Baffa-Bichi, calling one witness, while the NNPP closed its case without calling any witnesses on July 24.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
‘We want to go back to school’: Untold story of out-of-school kids in Ibadan
One of the kids who spoke to our reporter, Saheed Abiodun, ran away from home to look for succour in…
Mali, Burkina Faso deploy warplanes to Niger Republic, meet on response to ECOWAS military threat
AMID mounting pressure by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore civilian rule in the Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and…
FG appoints 11 new CMDs for federal medical facilities
Federal Government has appointed 11 new Medical Directors for the Federal Government established Medical Facilities in…
#BBNaijaAllStars: Biggie pulls another twist, introduces 4 new housemates
During the Sunday live eviction show of BBNaija, host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu unveiled a new twist that…
Employment racketeering at FCC
IF there was any scintilla of doubt that the civil/public service in the country is a cesspit of corruption, the recent scandalous revelations of…
Messi becomes most decorated footballer after winning record 44 titles
Following his Leagues Cup title wins with Inter Miami, Argentina captain and World Cup winner, Lionel Messi has..
and then