Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and the second respondent at the ongoing 2023 Kaduna State governorship election petition, has demanded an extension of time, to open his case before the tribunal.
Governor Sani’s prayer came, following the closing of the case by the first respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission, on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
The first respondent closed its case against the petitioners; Isa Ashiru and the Peoples Democratic Party, without presenting any witnesses at the resumed hearing of a petition marked EPT/KD/Gov/4/23.
The Commission had on Wednesday, through its Counsel, Abdullahi M. Aliyu SAN, presented before the tribunal documents titled: manual for election officials 2023, Regulations guidelines for conducts of elections 2022, and receipt payment for certification.
Meanwhile, the documents were all being admitted as exhibits by the tribunal, as the Commission said it has no witness against the petitioners.
However, the expectations from the first respondent to open his case, at the close of the 1st respondent’s defence as ordered by the tribunal at the last sitting, was dashed as
it was expected of the 2nd respondent to be ordered by the tribunal at the last sitting, was dashed at the court proceedings, as Duro Adeyele, who is the counsel to the 2nd respondent, Gov. Sani, told Justice Victor Oviawe’s led panel that he is not ready for the opening of his case, adding that his star witness was not available.
“My star witness is out of town. He is a student in Nasarawa, and he is writing an examination.
“I have 30 witnesses, but I may not call all of them,” the 2nd respondent’s counsel told the tribunal.
The governor’s Counsel sought the permission of the tribunal to give him till Friday, to present his witness before the three-man panel, being the last day allotted to the 2nd respondent to close his case.
The case was however adjourned to Friday, 11th August 2023, for the continuation of examination in chief and cross-examination of witnesses, in the case.
