.Court direct 1st respondent to open defence July 17
Dr.Nentawe Yilwatda and All Progressives Congress, APC, have closed their case as 1st and 2nd petitioners in a matter suit No: EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023, filed before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in High Court Jos Division.
Dr. Yilwatda, who contested the 18th March, 2023, governorship election under the platform of APC in Plateau had approached the Tribunal challenging the 1st respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring 2nd respondent, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and the 3rd respondent, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the election.
Our correspondent gathered that at the pre-hearing of the proceedings, the petitioners (Dr. Yilwatda and APC) forwarded a list of over 150 witnesses to testify before the Tribunal, but only 49 appeared in the court.
On resumption of continuation of hearing of the petition Friday, 14th July, after examination-in-chief and cross examination of PW49-Dr. Nentawe Yusuf Gurumdimma, a Lecturer from University of Jos, whose witness statement on oath contained in pages 409-455 of the petition also happens to be expert – witness of the petitioners.
However, petitioners counsel, Yakubu Ruba SAN hinted Tribunal that they intend not to further proceeds calling of witnesses.
“Your Lordships, after taking 49 witnesses, tendering so many sufficient documents before this Honourable Tribunal and careful review the grounds of the petition we cannot proceeds to call other witnesses”, Ruba SAN stated.
Counsels to the 1st respondent (INEC) W.A. Olamide, 2nd respondent (Barr.Caleb Mutfwang) Pius A.Akubo SAN and the 3rd respondent (PDP) Emeka Etiaba SAN did not raised objection against the petitioners counsel but rather commended the petitioners for keeping to timeframe of three weeks.
Meanwhile, after submissions of counsels to the petitioners and respondents, a three-man Governorship Election Petition Tribunal panel told INEC who are the 1st respondent on the matter to open its defence with immediate effect on Monday 17/7/2023.
The panel said they want to follow court scheduled as they are very conscious of time, therefore, “in view of the present circumstances the case has been adjourned to 17/7/2023.”
