Gov. Lalong Tenders Additional Documents In Defense Of Useni’s Petition Against Him.

Gov. Lalong Tenders Additional Documents In Defense Of Useni’s Petition Against Him.By Moses GbandeIn defense of the petition filed against him, by Senator Jeremiah Useni of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP challenging his election as Governor of Plateau state, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressive Congress, APC on Friday tendered additional documents at the defense stage.Sen (Gen) Jeremiah Timbut Useni and the Peoples Democratic Party who are challenging the outcome of the election had called a total of 71 witnesses and tendered over three hundred exhibits within ten days before closing their case on July 17, 2019.At the openning of defense on July 25, 2019,the INEC though its counsel, Barr Clement Onwenwnor told the tribunal that they were relying their defense on PW 71, which was the evidence provided by head of operation and logistics, INEC, Jos, Mr. Yagba kundu, during cross examinations.However, when the stage was then set for the 2nd Respondent, Simon Lalong to open his case, his lead Counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, apologized to the tribunal over their inability to assemble their witnesses.They were able to tender only a few certified true copies of Form EC8As and voters registers.Tribunal Chairman, Hon Justice HA Saleeman who not pleased wuth development reminded the Respondents that Time is against them. “You should call your witnesses immediately.”She had to call for a Stand down proceedings at the request of the Respondents for four hours. But even then, there were no witnesses to present when the tribunal resumed at 2pm.After the stand down, more documents were tendered without any witness to call, forcing the tribunal to adjourn to Friday, July 26, as the counsel complained that “It is not easy gir them to get witnesses to come and testify.”Consequently, the situation appears same on Friday, 26th July, when the lead counsel to Gov. Lalong, Barr. N. Fagbemi sought to tender additional documents which was not objected by counsels, except the petitioners counsel, Benson Igbanohor who raised objection to the document but reserved to be raised during their final written addresses.However, the documents were tendered and admitted in evidence and and marked as exhibits R66 to R72, comprising of Certified True Copies, CTC of result sheets for two voting points from qua’an Pan local government area.Others include summary of result from polling units from His East local government area.