Kano guber: Over 700 witnesses have been lined up to testify beforethe Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal

Over 700 witnesses have been enlisted to appear before the Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal presided over by Justice Halima Shamnaki, to testify for and against APC and PDP as regards the March 2019 governorship election won by Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

Counsel to Governor Ganduje, the second respondent, Barrister Offiong Offiong (SAN), Saturday at a pre-hearing session held at Miller road High court complex, informed the tribunal that 203 witnesses have been assembled to testify before the tribunal in support of the election won by the incumbent governor.

According to him, the witnesses have undergone all the pre-requisite requirements laid down by the law that permits the witness to testify before the court.

Counsel to the APC, Barrister Christopher Osiomole also averred that the ruling party would equally present 300 witnesses to testify in justifying the victory recorded by the candidate of the party in the governorship polls.

The first respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, through its counsel, Barrister Ahmed Raji (SAN), likewise notified the court that the electoral umpire would bring 29 witnesses before the tribunal to give testimony on the conduct of the Kano governorship elections.

Earlier, counsel to the petitioners , Barrister Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has enlisted 203 witnesses, who are expected to testify against the victory being claimed by Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the APC.

Awomolo prayed the tribunal to struck out the contempt charges filed on form 048 and 049 against INEC, he told the court that INEC has availed the petitioners almost all the documents needed for inspection, remaining only two documents that are yet to be released to the petitioner by INEC, the tribunal heard.

Responding, Counsel to INEC, Ahmed Raji requested that the documents released by the commission to the petitioner should be inspected at the court premises, noting the court complex is a neutral ground.

Delivering her ruling, chairman of the tribunal , Justice Halima Shamaki struck out the contempt charges filed against INEC, and ordered that the matter be adjourned to 16th July for continuation of pre-trial hearing.