The Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment on whether or not the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, can give evidence before it.
Counsel to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Demian Dodo had argued that Yunusa-Ari was sneaked into the courtroom to give evidence contrary to procedure; as according to him, Hudu was listed to give evidence out of time.
This was corroborated by Mohammad Lawal Garba, counsel to the first respondent, INEC, who also objected to Yunusa-Ari, giving oral evidence at the sitting, on grounds that he was listed out of time.
Yunusa-Ari, guarded by armed security operatives, arrived at the tribunal at about 12 noon to give evidence in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, left the courtroom without doing so at about 4:30pm.
For his part, counsel to Binani, Akin Olujimi, SAN, insisted that his witness was entitled to testify before the tribunal.
After the counter arguments, the chairman of the 3-man panel, announced that ruling on the matter had been reserved.
Meanwhile, she adjoined to Monday for continuation of hearing.
Earlier today, our Correspondent reported that fierce-looking armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) barred journalists from covering the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The DSS personnel, supported by policemen, blocked the entrance into the courtroom and turned journalists away.
SPEAKERS
Counsel to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Demian Dodo
Mohammad Lawal Garba, counsel to the first respondent, INEC
Counsel to Binani, Akin Olujimi, SAN,
