Kaduna Tribunal Adjourns As Ashiru Lines Up 25 Witnesses

The lead petitioner in the governorship election of Kaduna State, Hon Mohammed Isah Ashiru, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the election petition tribunal that he would produce 25 witnesses against the declared winner of the election, Uba Sani, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Following the declaration of Governor Sani by INEC as the winner of the governorship election, Ashiru and the PDP challenged the victory of Uba Sani.

At the resumed pre-hearing of the petition at the tribunal yesterday, the lead counsel to Ashiru and PDP, Samuel Atung (SAN) told the 3-man panel led by Justice Victor O. Oviawe that the petitioner may field a star witness for the rest of the witnesses when the hearing proper commenced.

However, counsels to the 1st respondent; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alhassan A. Umar (SAN) said they will call five witnesses.

The counsel to the 2nd respondent; Gov. Sani, led by Sanusi Musa (SAN) said they have 18 witnesses, but, “we will subpoena 15.”

The counsel to the 3rd respondent; APC, led by  Mohammed Sani Katu (SAN) said they will present three witnesses, but, “we will subpoena another three, making it six witnesses.”

The chairman of the panel, Justice Victor Oviawe, after extensive deliberations allotted seven minutes to examination-in-chief, 12 minutes to cross-examination, while three minutes were alloted to re-examination of the witnesses respectively.

The counsel in the matter adopted all documents filed, just as the court directed the PDP counsel to respond within four days upon service of application by the respondents’ counsels, while two days were allotted to respondents’ counsels to also respond.

The court adjourned the case to June 15, 2023 for the continuation of the pre-hearing of the matter.