The National/State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Kano on Thursday, affirmed the victory of Sagir Koki, of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), against Muntari Yakasai of All Progressive Congress (APC) for Kano Municipal House of Representatives Election conducted on 25th Feb. 2023.
Making her ruling on Thursday, the 3-panel-judge, led by Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge upheld that the petitioner, Muntari Yakasai has failed to prove the allegation of overvoting and non-collation of results in 25 polling units in the constituency, during the election.
Justice Azinge then ruled that the petitioner failed to prove the allegation of irregularities by presenting insufficient, incredible and incogent witnesses to prove his assertion.
Justice Azinge stated that “None of the
witness adduced evidence derived from their direct experience, they are not credible to believe”
She added that “He has also presented irrelevant documents to prove the allegations of irregularities, over voting, and not complying with the Electoral Act, 2022.”
“The Tribunal will not grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner against the Respondents without him presenting VBAS Machine and the Voter register in all the Polling Units where the over voting alleged to had been occurred”
“The petitioner has failed to discharge the burden of prove against the Respondents.
“We have no duty to stop the return and declaration of Sagir Koki by INEC as the winner of the Kano Municipal Federal of House of Representatives Election conducted on 25th Feb. 2023.”
The Tribunal also pronounced that aside from dismissing the petition,” The sum of N100,000 cost is hereby awarded in favour of the Respondents against the Petitioner”
“The petition is hereby dismissed for lack of evidence” Justice Flora ruled.
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