Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Fed. Const.: Tribunal fixes July 24 for adoption of written addresses

By Moses Gbande

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos has fixed July 24 for presentation and adoption of final written addresses by parties in Rep. Timothy Golu’s petition before it.

Golu is challenging the declaration of Mr Yusuf Gagdi, by INEC as duly elected representative of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency in NASS election of March 9.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Tuesday that Gagdi rounded up his defence with a subpoenaed witness, Mr. Tobias Terzengme, who testified on how some results were canceled yet reflected on the final result sheet.
Mr, Sunday Oyawole, Counsel to the petitioner, Golu, had asked the defence witness some questions outside his statements on oath but was objected by counsel to the 2nd (APC) and 3rd (INEC) defendants, Sunday Obende and Jacob Usman, respectively.

Both counsels argued with relevant authorities of the law that the witness could not answer any question put to him outside his statement on oath.

But Oyawole insisted that the law allows him and that he (witness) was at liberty to do so as long as it relates the the issue in question, which was the results of March 9 National Assembly elections.

The tribunal ruled in favour of Oyawole.

When Oyawole asked Terzengme of the result of sabon-line in Jom ward, where he claimed in his statement, was canceled, and he answered in affirmative, “yes it was.”

Oyawole also confronted him with the fact that the 35 votes Gagdi scored in Sabon-line was recorded for him even though the entire result for the ward was canceled, the witness said, “yes, as reflected on the result sheet.”

“Look at exhibit P5, collation result for Jom ward, Which you said you effected cancellation of the whole ward result of 2, 496 votes,” and he answered, “yes My Lord.”

“Also looking at exhibit P24, the total result sheet where the total valid votes of 2, 496 is captured. Could l be correct to say that the result of Sabon-line was captured in it (P24)?” And the witness answered, “yes my Lord.”

After the cross examination, 1st Respondent Counsel, Mr Nantok Dashuar, said he was through with his defence, saying, “ My Lord, that’s all for defence as we are not taken anymore witnesses.”

“We wish to close our case with this last subpoenaed witness,” Dashuar declared.

Usman, on the other hand declined calling any witness even though they had earlier told the tribunal that they had two witnesses to call to the witness box.

“We have reviewed the case as presented and wish to rely on evidences laid by us before this honorable tribunal and will not call any witness.

“My Lord, with that, we hereby wish to close our case,” Usman said.

The tribunal then fixed July 24 for all the parties to present and adopt their final written addresses on Golu’s petition. (NAN)