PLATEAU: TRIBUNAL UPDATE FOR 2ND AUGUST, 2023: PETITIONS FILED BY HON. BULUS V. VENMAN AGAINST HON. BENI LAR AND THAT FILED BY, RT. HON. SIMON LALONG ADJOURNED TO 3RD AUGUST, 2023

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

The Petition No: EPT/PL/HR/04/2023, filed by Hon. Bulus Vincent Venman, challenging INEC over the conduct of the election for Langtang North/South Federal Constituency of Plateau State and the declaration of Hon. Beni Lar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been adjourned to tomorrow, the 3rd August, 2023 for the adoption of  Counsel’s Final Written Address.

The Tribunal adjourned to the 3^rd of August, 2023, to enable Counsels properly serve each other their Final Written Addresses.

According to the ruling of the Tribunal, after the Application of E. G. Pwajok (SAN) Counsel for the Petitioners, for a very short adjournment, the Tribunal held that, the Written Addresses would still hold same 3^rd August, 2023.

On 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 election for Plateau South Senatorial District and the declared victory of Sen. Napoleon on the 25^th of February, 2023 by INEC, the Tribunal’s Panel hearing the matter has also adjourned to the 3^rd of August, 2023, for the Respondents in the Petition to open and close their cases.

Earlier, W. M. Sanusi (Esq), the Counsel to the 1^st Respondent (INEC), had told the Tribunal that, it has become very difficult for him to call his witnesses as they have traveled outside the state for national assignments and had applied for adjournment.

In its ruling, after the application for a short adjournment by, E. G. Pwajok (SAN), Counsel to the Petitioners, who also reminding the Tribunal that, the Respondents only have 3 days to open and close their cases, the Tribunal held that, “The matter is adjourned to the 3^rd of August, 2023 for the Defence by others”.