Ashiru Vs El-Rufai: INEC Fails To Produce Witnesses, As Tribunal Adjourns To Thursda

By Aishat Isah Zaria

The Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition tribunal sitting in Kaduna on Monday Adjourns sitting to Thursday 18th July following the inability of the National Electoral Commission (INEC) to present its witnesses.

The Justice Ibrahim Bako led tribunal, adjourned the sitting after application for adjournment by counsel to INEC, Mr. Aliyu Umar, SAN.

INEC, who is the first respondent, was expected to open defence by calling witnesses at the resume hearing on Monday 15th.

But, the Commission, through its counsel inform the tribunal that they could not begin their defence at the resumption of hearing because most of their witnesses were attending 2019 election review conference.
The Counsel also informed the tribunal that INEC intends to present 10 witnesses to defend its declaration of Governor el-Rufai as winner of the March 9th governorship elections.

To this end, they appeal that the matter be adjourned to Thursday 18th to enable them call-up their witnesses.

The PDP and its governorship candidate, Mr. Isa Ashiru are challenging the declaration of Nasir el-Rufai of the APC as winner of the governorship elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the March 9 governorship polls.

Ashiru Vs El-Rufai: INEC Failed To Produce Witnesses, As Tribunal Adjourns To Thursday