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Tribunal descends heavily on Jeremiah Useni as Gov.
Lalong snubbed Journalists after Court Session:
By Lovins Yakubu
July, 10, 2019.
Justice Halimat
Saleeman, Chairman of the Plateau State Gubernatorial Election Petition
Tribunal Sitting at West of Mines Jos descended heavily on Senator Jeremiah
Timbut Useni, PDP candidate in the
February 2019 governorship election in Plateau state and 1st
petitioner in the petition before the tribunal challenging the declaration of
Lalong the winner of the said election by the Independent Electoral Commission
(INEC), on Wednesday describing his application today again for adjournment of
proceedings till tomorrow as unwarranted and time wasting. Useni through his
Counsel, Chief S-G Odey had told the tribunal that they were constrained by
circumstances beyond their control as they were unable to call more witnesses
after tendering additional 38 documents and applied that the matter be
adjourned till the next day to enable them continue.
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| Gov. Lalong and Sen. Useni at the tribunal this morning |
Responding, Pius Akubo (SAN) and Garba
Pwul (SAN) Counsels to Governor Lalong and APC respectively all expressed
displeasure over the development. Akubo
stated that counsel to petitioners probably forgot pages 1and 2 of the schedule of petitioner’s
documents where it was clear that the document tendered had to do with Jos East
which according to the senior silk, is a stone throw to Jos and wondered why it
was difficult for the petitioners to mobilize witnesses from the area to Jos. Akubo noted that the unnecessary
adjournment was requested for the second time in two days and called on the
tribunal to use its power the close the Petitioners’ case if it is repeated
again. Pwul also said that decorum as a whole
mark of law profession should not be taken for granted and also called on the
tribunal to wield its big stick next time and close the case of the petitioners.
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| Gov. Lalong, Sen. Useni and Cross-section of some counsels |
In its ruling,
the tribunal expressed its disenchantment with the petitioners adding that the
petitioners were wasting the time of the tribunal, the Respondents and even the
time of the people of Plateau State who were eager to know the outcome of the
matter. It added that the petitioners should honourably close their case if
they have exhausted their witnesses.
Today’s adjournment followed that of
yesterday when petitioners’ counsel applied for it saying that some of the
witnesses coming from other Local Government Areas to testify were involved in
an accident.
In a similar vein, Governor Simon Bako
Lalong who was in court this morning for the first time since the tribunal
commenced, snubbed journalists who wanted to use the opportunity to seek for
classifications from the Governor on delicate matters affecting the State and
also regarding his position as Chairman of Northern Governors’ forum. The court
room was filled to its brim and at the end of session; journalists took
position close to the exit of the tribunal. However, as soon as the governor
came out of the court room, he was hurriedly guided to his vehicle ignoring
journalists as some struggled to reach him to elicit comments from him but were
ruthlessly prevented by his aides Hearing continues tomorrow at the
tribunal.
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