Plateau NASS Tribunal Suffered Set Back, As Petitioners Failed To Present Written Addresses

Plateau NASS Tribunal Suffered Set Back, As Petitioners Failed To Present Written AddressesBy Moses GbandeThe case between Hon. Timothy Golu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi of the All Progressive Party, APC on Wednesday suffered set back following the inability of the petitioners to present their written addresses.Hon Golu is challenging the election of Hon. Yusuf Gagdi as member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency in the NASS election of March 9th 2019.Our Correspondent reports that Hon. Gagdi had 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.The Election Petition tribunal Tribunal presiding over the matter in Jos had fixed July 24th 2019 for presentation and adoption of final written addresses by parties.However, when the matter was mentioned, in the suit number, EPT/PL/NA/01/2019, Counsel to the petitioners, J.M. Okafor told the tribunal that the matter was actually slated for the adoption of written addresses, but regretted that they could not continue due to unavoidable errors.According to him, “we regret tthst this morning our attention has been drown through the third respondent’s address that he was just served yesterday by 8.00pm and would need time to respond”.He admitted that the error was not from the third respondent and sought for an adjournment to enable parties to respond appropriately.Counsels to the first respondent, Nantok Dashwar said he had no objection to the adjournment sought by the petitioners’ counsel, saying he was also been served Wednesday morning at 9. 04 and would need time to respond.Counsels to the second and third respondents, Pius A kubo, (SAN) and J.J Usman, all did not opposed to the application for adjournment and did not asked for any cost.The tribunal was however not happy with the errors that led to the delay the process of services and worn that it would not indulge them for any further lapses aimed at delaying its time.