Ganduje Accuses PDP of Smugling Witnesses Before Election Tribunal

From  Abdulgafar Oladimeji, Kano.

Kano governorship Election Tribunal headed by Justice  Halima Shamaki sitting at Miller road,   on Tuesday night refused PDP chieftain, Umar Tanko Yakasai from giving evidence at the ongoing governorship election trials.

Yakasai, who was ushered before the court by Abiodun Jelili Owonikoko(SAN) according to the court, Yakasai  would  not be permitted  to testify owing to the  discovery that his name  was not enlisted amongst the witnesses before the court.

Earlier, Barrister Owonikoko(SAN) told the court that the witness had made deposition, urging the tribunal to permit the  witness to give evidence.

Counsel to the first respondent(INEC), Adedayo Adedeji raised an objection over  the  appearance of Yakasai before the court.

He told the court that the name on the list of witnesses was one Tijjani Yakasai and not Dr Umar Tanko Yakasai.

According to him, the tribunal on 16^th July rejected an application made by PDP, requesting  to amend the list of witnesses, he  stated that Umar Tanko Yakasai was on the list sought to  be amended, which was  dismissed by the tribunal.

He argued that the witness despite his deposition on oath is not qualified to testify, explaining that his name ought to also  be enlisted to be eligible to give evidence.

Adedayo further  told the court that the attempt by PDP  to bring Yakasai into the witness box was a flagrant disregard of  the Tribunal.

He prayed the Court to stop Yakasai from testifying before the tribunal.

The tribunal presided by Justice Halima Shamaki granted the request made by the respondents, explaining that her decision to stop the witness from giving evidence  was informed by the ruling, delivered by her tribunal, dismissing the request for an amendment on the list of witnesses.

According to her, the petitioners have filed an appeal challenging her initial ruling on the application seeking to make amends to the list of witnesses, on this ground, she said “my hands are tied” saying Umar Tanko Yakasai   would not be allowed to testify.

Ganduje Accuses PDP of Smugling Witnesses Before Election Tribunal

Meanwhile, the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has accused the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Kano state chapter of allegedly smuggling a witness to testify before the Kano governorship Election Tribunal.

Ganduje, represented by his Counsel, Offiong Offiong(SAN) raised an alarm, against the attempt by  Umar Tanko Yakasai to give evidence before the governorship tribunal.

According to him, the name Umar Tanko Yakasai  is not enlisted on the list of  witnesses, adding that the appearance of the witness before the court is an alleged  attempt by the petitioners  to smuggle the witness before the court .

Ganduje told the court that  the Kano PDP through the back door  attempted to present a witness to testify before the tribunal.

According to him, the name on the list of witnesses was enlisted as  one Tijjani Yakasai and not Dr Umar Tanko Yakasai.

Adding that the tribunal on 16^th July rejected an application made by PDP, requesting  to amend the list of witnesses, he  stated that Umar Tanko Yakasai was on the list sought to  be intended amended list, which was  dismissed by the tribunal.

Counsel to the petitioners, Barrister Abiodun Jelili Owonikoko(SAN) furiously resent the use of the word “smuggle” by the representative of Governor Ganduje.