By Peter Akpah

The All Progressive Congress, APC Tuesday closed its defense in the ongoing governorship election Petition tribunal seating at the high court West of Mines, Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

The counsel to the APC. Barr. Garba Pwul, (SAN) has on Tuesday called additional Eight witnesses, out of which two of them were not recognized in the eyes of the law, even as their appearances threw the APC’s counsel in a state of confusion, and apply to withdraw the witness after adopting deposition his witness statements on oath and also identifying the documents.

One of them, Alhamin Adams who said he was an APC agent at amingo Junction polling Unit, code 038, was not allowed to proceed, following an application by the witness in chief, who applied for the Withdrawer of his witness from the witness box.

Their was no objection to his application from first and second respondents’ counsels, but the application met stiff resistance from the petitioners’ counsel, Barr. Benson Igbanoi who led the petitioners counsel, in his submission said the application by the 3rd respondent’s counsel lacks legal acceptability, and as such the application be thrown to the dust bin, as the witness haven’t adopted and identified the exhibit as such should be cross examine,

His argument was on grounds that the witness had already been called to the witness box, and was allowed to take witness on oath, and was graciously cross examined by the witness in chief, to identity some documents, which he already done.

He added that it would amount to a breach of judicial proceedings if at that point in time, the witness is allowed withdraw without being cross examined the circumstances which his lordships ruled that the witness should face the fire of cross examination.

However the judge in her rulling says U witness has taken his oath and adopted his statement has led evidence and as such should be cross examine,and most not allow to go, without cross examination, on cross examination, Alhamin Adams told the tribunal that he worked as APC agents during the governorship election at code 004, Fushom polling unit, in Jos East and amingo junction polling unit 038 in Jos North at the same.

Another APC Witness from shandam LGA , Peter Damulak said he worked as agents at shimanka polling unit 004 and the result of the election shows, accreditated Voters was 352, while the number of valid votes was 358, showing that there was over voting.

The situation forced the 3rd defendant’s counsel to discontinued with the calling of witnesses, and applied for a stand down, which the court adjourned for an hour standown.

On resumption from the break around 2:30pm the counsel to the 3rd defendant, Garba Pwul, informed the tribunal that they have exhausted their witnesses and wants to close its defense, which was not opposed by any counsel.

At this stage, the Tribunal adjourns to August 15, 2019 to allow parties prepare for their final adoption of written address.

The Parties have been given 5 days each to submit written addresses with well cited authorities, and 2 days each to respond on the point of law.

It will recall that, Senator Jeremiah Useni of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who is challenging the election of Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressive Congress, APC had called a total of 71 witnesses and tendered over three hundred exhibits within ten days before closing their case on July 17, 2019, while the defence counsel in their defence brought a total of 19 witnesses,

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, preferred not calling any witnesse, but rely on PW71 evidence, especially, exhibit, PW 71, which was the Subpoena witness testified by the head of operations and logistics of the INEC headquarters, Jos, Mr, Yagba Kundu.

The second witness, Simon Bako Lalong had indicated interest to calling many witnesses but ended up calling only Six before closing its case.,

The chairman of the tribunal H A sulemann thank both counsels for how the conduct themselves and present their case and also go according to the rules given during the prehearing, and also thank the people of plateau for their hospitality and how they come and supported their various parties without any problems.