By Joseph Adahnu, Yola
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Yola, Adamawa State 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.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s counsel, Damian 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.
During the sitting, Yunusa-Ari, guarded by fully 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.
One of the witness from Fufore (name withheld), during cross examination, when asked how was the election? he said the election was parfectly free and fair and credible.
When taken on the second question whether there was any violence during the election in fufore? according to him, there were very serious violence which place in Future.
This, the counsel to Binani, Akin Olujimi, SAN, insisted that his witness was entitled to testifying before the tribunal.
After the counter arguments, the chairman of the 3-man panel, announced that ruling on the matter had been reserved.
However, the chairman of the panel adjoined to the continuation of hearing to August.
Earlier, our reporter reports that fierce-looking armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) barred journalists from covering the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
DSS personnel, supported by policemen, blocked the entrance into the courtroom and turned journalists back.
