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By Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Kaduna.
Justice Victor Oviawe led panel, handling the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election in Kaduna has modified the pre-hearing report of the tribunal.
This followed the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open its case against the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru today (5th August, 2023), as ordered by the tribunal at the last sitting.
However, for the second time, the Commission has failed to meet up with the order of the tribunal, as its first failed to produce the apt subpoenaed witness which led to the closure of the petitioners’ case at the last sitting.
Resuming hearing today, it was expected of INEC to open its case against the petitioners, but failed to do so, as its counsel pleaded for extension of time to enable the Commission’s witnesses appear before the tribunal.
” The witnesses we intend to call are writing promotional examinations. We planned to call all our witnesses on Wednesday,” the counsel to INEC pleaded for further modification of the pre-hearing report.
According to the tribunal, three, four and three days respectively had been allotted to the 1st (INEC), 2nd (Uba Sani) and 3nd (APC) respondents for the opening and closure of their cases, considering the volume of witnesses being lined up by them.
” It appears to us that the counsels (INEC) are trying to waste the time of the tribunal,” Justice Oviawe’s led panel said.
Upon the submissions of all the counsels, the three man panel of the tribunal has directed that INEC should open its case on Wednesday and closed same day.
” We urged the counsels to cooperate with the tribunal,” the panel urged.
Meanwhile, the petition marked EPT/KD/Gov/4/23 has been adjourned till Wednesday next week.