Kano tribunal: Absence of witnesses stalls hearing
Witness
By Ahmed Abdulkadir Kano
Kano, The absence of three witnesses on Friday, stalled Abba Kabir-Yusuf of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), from opening its case in the petition filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC), at the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal.
NAN reports that the petitioner APC is challenging INEC for declaring Abba Kabir-Yusuf of NNPP winner of the election that was conducted on March 18, 2023.
The respondents are INEC, Abba Kabir-Yusuf and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
When the petition was called, Counsel to Kabir-Yusuf, Mr Eyitayo Fatigun SAN, told the court that the three witnesses they intend to call are absent.
“We apologise because the three witnesses have flight issues on their way coming to Kano from Abuja. My Lord we seek for an adjournment” Fatigun said
Counsel to INEC, Emmanuel Osayomi and Counsel to NNPP, John Olusola SAN, did not oppose.
Counsel to the petitioner, Offiong Offiong SAN, also did not oppose the request for an adjournment by the second respondent.
NAN recalls that the Petitioner on July 15, closed its case after calling 32 witnesses, while INEC on July 21 closed its case without calling any witness.
Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay adjourned the matter until July 22, for the second respondent to open their defense.
NAN reports that the Petitioner is also asking the Tribunal to declare that NNPP has no candidate as Kabir-Yusuf is not in their register of voters submitted to INEC at the time of the election.
