By: Valentine Adese (JP),
The National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State has today, the 20th of June, 2023, commenced the trial of Petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/02/2023, filed by the former governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, who is challenging INEC over the conduct of the Senatorial election for Plateau South Senatorial District and the declared victory of Sen. Napoleon Binkan Bali.
The Tribunal also heard the petition No: EPT/PL/HR/11/2023 and EPT/PL/HR/01/2023, filed by one, Yarnap Samuel, of the Young Progressive Party and Bulus Vincent Venman of the APC, both challenging the victory of, Hon. Beni Lar and INEC, over the conduct of the House of Representatives election for Langtang North and South on the 25th of February, 2023.
Before the close of the sitting today, the Tribunal also commenced hearing on Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/01/2023, filed by Fom Dalyop Chollom, who is challenging the victory of Hon. Peter Gyandeng in respect of the House of Representatives election conducted for House of Representatives for Barkin-ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
At the hearing of Petition No: EPT/PL/SEN/02/2023, filed by the former governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, the Petitioners’ Counsel, Prof. Olatoke (SAN) leading Edward Pwajok (SAN) and Y.S. Ruba (SAN) among other Lawyers, called on the Plateau State Commissioner of Police (CP) and INEC to tender the documents they were subpeoned to produce.
But, the CP represented by O. H Umores, the O.C Legal, Plateau State Police Command, could not tender the right documents requested for through the subpoena, while INEC refused to bring any documents on the ground that, the petitioners have not paid the legally required fees to obtain CTCs of public documents.
While the CP’s representative pleaded to the Tribunal to give him time to enable him get proper briefing on the petition and produce the requested Certified True Copies (CTC) of documents from the Police.
The Tribunal in its bench ruling said that, Simon Lalong and the APC should pay the required legally required fees for the CTCs, while directing INEC to make the documents available for the Petitioners.
The matter has been adjourned to 21st June, 2023, being tomorrow.
Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/11/2023, filed by one Yarnap Samuel of the Young Progressive Party challenging the victory of, Hon. Beni Lar and INEC, over the conduct of the House of Representatives election for Langtang North and South Federal Constituency of Plateau state on the 25th of February, 2023, has been dismissed by the Tribunal. The Tribunal in a bench ruling said the Petition was filed outside the prescribed time by the Act.
Adding that, “All parties should bear their cost”.
More also, Petition No: EPT/PL/04/2023 and Petition No: EPT/PL/01/2023, filed by Bulus Vincent Venman and Fom Dalyop, respective, have commenced, with their Counsel, Edward Pwajok (SAN) tendering CTC documents from the Bar and calling a star witness in each of the petitions.
DETAILS OF THEIR EXAMINATION-IN-CHIEF AND THE CROSS-EXAMINATION OF EACH, COMING SOON…
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