LABOUR Party (LP)’s candidate in the February 25 election representing Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Constituency in the National Assembly, Engr. Fom Dalyop, (aka Santos), has closed his case before the Election Petition Tribunal, Jos, Plateau State, as star witness of PDP confirmed the rulings of Court of Appeal and dismissal of suit at the Supreme Court against the authenticity of the party’s Executive Council structure.
Counsel to the petitioner, Barrister Edward Pwajok, informed the Tribunal recently, shortly after cross examining the witness following letter in notice earlier filed to committee and both Counsels indicating the closure of their case to enable the 1st and 2nd Respondents open their defense and subsequently present their witnesses.
While cross examining the witness, Barrister Panshak Dakyen, Esq, who happens to be the Deputy Legal Adviser of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the witness confirmed to the tribunal that the ruling of the Court of Appeal and that of the Supreme Court against the authenticity of the State Executive Council, was relying on the suit by erring party members.
He testified that it was as a result of September 2021 Court of Appeal ruling that necessitated the reconstitution of the same committee by his party to conduct another State Congress which he contested for the position of Deputy Legal Adviser and won.
The witness revealed to the tribunal that the erring faction led by Hon. Bitrus Kaze, participated in the state congress elections which was monitored by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the losers through Hon. Kaze who contested for the Chairmanship, congratulated the winners and there was no suit challenging the outcome.
However, there was mild drama as when the cross examining Counsel, Edward Pwajok, SAN, questioned the authenticity of the party’s structure given the Court of Appeal’s ruling in favour of PRP candidate on May 6, 2022 which was later dismissed by the Supreme Court when the party tried to use the back door?
Counsel, therefore, put it to the witness that with the outcome of ruling in Appeal Court and the dismissal of appeal before the Supreme Court, it was a clear indication of a fact that it was disbanded State Executive Council which the witness formed part of.
He also asked if there were no delegates list and results of the elections containing names and scores of those who contested with the winners indicated in the document filed before the tribunal. But the witness argued that he was not the maker of the result and delegates sheets and cannot provide same.
Earlier, Counsel to the 1st Respondent, Barrister Pius Akubo, SAN, applied for the adjournment of the case to enable his witness for the sake of fair hearing, put something in order, but was overruled by the tribunal and the hearing was stood down before returning.
However, the case was adjourned to July 7, 2023 to enable 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents open their defense.
Also adjourned to July 13, 2023 respectively, were cases between Hon. Vincent Bulus Venman, of the APC and Hon. Beni Lar, of the PDP as well as the former Plateau State Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda, of the APC and Hon. Rejoice Attew, of the PDP.
