The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has opened its defence in the case filed by Nentawe Yilwatda and his Party, the All Progressives Congress before the Plateau State Election Petition Tribunal Sitting in Jos.
This came after the Petitioners had Closed their case calling a total of 49 witnesses out of the 172 earlier promised to be present.
Nentawe Yilwatda, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, on Friday, closed the case as 1st and 2nd Petitioners at the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal against Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Petitioners are challenging the victory of Governor Caleb on three grounds; which are Invalid nomination, non-compliance with the electoral Act and INEC Guidelines and that Mutfwang did not score the lawful valid Votes Cast during the election calling 49 witnesses out of the 172 they had earlier promised before closing their case, thereby setting the stage for the 1st respondent being INEC.
On resumption of sitting on Monday, Lead counsel to INEC A. Atung SAN, presented Four documents before the tribunal which were objected to by the petitioner’s counsel, but the second and third respondents did not object to the tendering of the documents which were later admitted and marked as exhibits by the tribunal.
INEC also disclosed that it has witnesses but have been transferred out of Jos and asked for time to assemble them to proceed with the defense.
The tribunal then stepped down and went into a closed-door session, with the lead Counsel of the Petitioner and the respondents where it resolved that the sitting of the tribunal be adjourned to 15th of August.
The presentation of the four documents earlier by INEC was the beginning of their defense and the Court formally adjourned the Petition to 15 August for continuation of Defense.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
