CONFUSION HIT RESPONDENTS IN PETITION NO: EPT/PL/SEN/01/2023, AS AMB. CHRIS GIWA OPENED AND CLOSED HIS CASE IN FEW HOURS

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

Amb. Chris Giwa has closed his case in Petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/01/2023, few hours after opening it at the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Jos, Yesterday.

The petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/01/2023 is challenging the conduct and victory of INEC and Sen. Simon Mwadkwon respectively in the 25^th February National Assembly election for Plateau North Senatorial District.

To open and close his case, Amb. Giwa’s Counsel, I. H. Magaji (SAN), tendered through the Bar, volumes of INEC’s Certified True Copies (CTCs) of document, which were brought in bags and called only two (2) witnesses.

The witnesses were, one Sanni Paul Zaruma, who is a Legal Practitioner and a member of the APC Legal Team and a Statistician, Mr. Gabriel Pam Dagyet, who doubles as a staff of University of Jos and a Consultant.

REALITY gathered that, Amb. Giwa’s opening and closing of his case in few hours may have hit the Respondents with confusion, as they sort to revert back to their clients to discuss the best way forward.

They had also told the Tribunal that, they might not categorically state the number of witnesses they would be calling until, after the meeting/consultations with their various clients.

AMB. GIWA

You would recall that, REALITY had reported that, the Statistician, Mr. Dagyet in his evidence before the Tribunal, had told the Tribunal that, he did not attach his analytical report and findings, to his statement on Oath before Tribunal and he also did not disclosed, which polling unit(s) are being question for non-compliance to the Electoral Act.

However, he had disclosed that, out of the 2255 polling units’ documents he inspected, 1043 forms EC8A1 series were already mutilated.

Adding that, “Amb. Chris Giwa has the highest lawful votes scored in the election, with 3400 as Margin of Lead and so, should be declared the winner”.

Speaking to REALITY on the sudden closure, some Legal Practitioners opined that, the steps taken by Amb. Giwa’s Counsel, are clear legal traps, to force the Respondents to make mistakes and make more case for them.

The petition has been adjourned to Thursday, 22^nd June, 2023, for the 1^st Respondent (INEC) to open defense.