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Plateau
central Senatorial Seat: Parradang tenders 89 documents;Witnesses give
incoherent evidences.
By Joseph A. Adudu
July 03, 2019.
Hearing commenced at the State and
National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Sitting at High Court 4, Jos in
the case between David Shitfu Parradang, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, Petitioners)
and Senator Hezekiah Dimka, the All Progressive Congress (APC and Respondents)
regarding the Plateau Central Senatorial seat. When the case file was called
counsel to the petitioners, S. Oyawale applied to tender some documents. The tribunal
accepted the document tendered in evidence subject to parties objections in
their final addresses and marked as exhibitP4 – P89 respectively.
But, Garba S. Pwul, SS Obende and BA Nabani
counsels for 2nd, 3rd and 1st Respondents
respectively reserved objection to the competence of the witnesses to be called
until final final addresses.
When the 1stwitness entered
the witness box, it was discovered that three exhibits out of the 89 tendered
were missing. Consequently, the tribunal expunged the exhibits from the list
which includes exhibit P4a, P5A and P40 respectively.
However, some of the witnesses gave incoherent
evidences with respect to their roles during the election. For instance, under
cross examination, Abdulmalik Gambo (PW 3) who said was the PDP Ward collation
agent for Jom ward in Kanam Local Government told the tribunal that there was a
Voting Point (VP) in Sabo Layin Polling Unit in Jom Ward, Nasiru Mohammed (PW3),
who said he was the PDP Agent in SabonLayi Polling Unit said he was not sure if
Sabon Layi has a Voting Point(VP). Also, PW2 said that his Polling Unit Agents
complained of irregularities and furnished him with reports in that respect and
added that there are 4 polling units in Jom Ward. He further said that the
result of Sabon Laiyn was cancelled because of irregularities. PW3, however
said that despite the complains by PDP agents and that of the party, INEC did
not find their complains credible that is why the electoral body went ahead to
announce the result and declared a winner. Hearing continue tomorrow
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