Kaduna Tribunal: Governor Uba Sani seeks extension of time as INEC closes case without witness

Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani has through his Counsel, Duro Adeyeye, SAN told the three-man Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to allow him time as he could not produce his star witness because he was in school.

Uba Sani who is the 2nd respondent, told Justice Victor Oviawe’s led panel that his star witness is a student of Nasarawa State University and he is in school writing his semester examination, even as he was supposed to open his case today.

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing of a petition marked EPT/KD/Gov/4/23, the 1st respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has closed its case against the petitioners; Hon. Isa Ashiru and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without presenting any witness.

Though, through its counsel, Abdullahi M. Aliyu (SAN) on Wednesday, INEC presented before the tribunal documents titled: ‘Manual for election officials 2023, Regulations guidelines for conducts of elections 2022, and receipt payment for certification.

The said documents were all admitted by the tribunal as exhibits, as the Commission said, it has no witness against the petitioners.

At the close of the 1st respondent’s (INEC) defence today, it was expected of the 2nd respondent to open his case immediately as ordered by the tribunal at the last sitting.

“My star witness is out of town. He is a student in Nasarawa, and he is writing examination.

“I have 30 witnesses, but I may not call all of them” the 2nd respondent’s counsel told the tribunal.

Gov. Uba Sani’s counsel sought the permission of the tribunal to allow him till Friday to present his witness before the three-man panel, being the last day allotted to the 2nd respondent to close his case.

The case has been adjourned till Friday, 11th day of August, 2023 for the continuation of examination in chief and cross examination of witnesses.