Taraba Election Tribunal orders Governor to streamline his witnesses

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Taraba, sitting in Abuja has ordered Gov. Darius Ishaku to streamline his defence witnesses to save time in the hearing of the petition challenging his election.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Musa Abubakar, who gave the order on Tuesday, said streamlining witnesses would enable the tribunal to conclude hearing within statutory stipulated time.

The governor’s election is being challenged by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Hajia Aisha Alhassan.

Earlier the governor had told the tribunal that he had 54 more witnesses to call to defend the petition challenging his victory in the April governorship elections in the state.

The governor who was represented by his counsel, Mr Ayo Akam said eight of the 54 witnesses were present at the court, while the others would be travelling from the state to Abuja to give their testimonies.

NAN reports that the eight witnesses were led in evidence by Akam and cross examined by Mahmud Abubakar (SAN) and Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), lawyers representing APC and Alhassan respectively.

The witnesses are: Robert Umar, Musa Augustine, Rukoko Audu, Mathias Krisantos, Oliver Ahmadu, Aminu Sabo, Jonah Usman and Richard Augustine, all from Taraba.

The witnesses who said they were agents of the PDP in the election, urged the tribunal to accept their witness statement on oath as the true reflection of the election held in the state.

They contended that the election was free, fair and devoid of violence and Ishaku was validly declared winner of the poll by INEC.

Justice Abubakar adjourned till Sept. 9 continuation of hearing.