PLASIEC Stalls LG Elections Tribunal Proceedings, Fails To Provide Result Sheets
The Oasis Reporters
April 18, 2019
By Moses Gbande
Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, on Thursday frustrated the ongoing proceedings in a case between Hon. Ubandoma Joshua Laven of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP challenging the victory of Hon. Kparnim Nanloh Amos as the elected Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council.
At the Plateau State Local Government Council Election Petition Tribunal holden at West of Mines, Jos between the petitioner, Hon. Ubandoma Joshua Laven of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Kparnim Nanloh Amos, of the All Progressive Congress, APC and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission over the office of the Chairmanship of Langtang North LGC the Petitioner had closed his case, as the defendants have prepared to open their defence.
Our correspondent reports that a total of 38 witnesses testified during the hearing creating room for the opening of defense by the first defendant In the subsequent adjoined date. Unfortunately, this suffered another setback over the non availability of polling units and wards result sheets requested to be tendered for screening.
When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday 18th day of April, 2018, counsel to the first defendant, Barr Zulfa Rimven who sought that the tribunal Chairman should adjourn the sitting to another date to enable him obtain results of polling units and wards results of Langtang North Local Government Council.
According to him, the Thursday sitting was for the first respondent to open defenses, but to the greatest dismay the third respondent, which is the PLASIEC failed to make available the result sheets of the last local government election for vetting.
The Chairman of Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC Mr. Fibian Ntung Ari , represented by the Secretary failed to provide the needed information required for the opening of defense.
Rimven explained that the absence of the 10th Oct 2018 polling units and wards collation results would affect his case so he has written to PLASIEC to produce the wards, polling units for onward inspection.
According to him, he understands that the matter was for the first respondent to open his defense, “we apply for subpoena which has been pushed and applying for copies of polling units and wards results of Langtang North LGA.”
Zulfa told the tribunal that PLASIEC couldn’t make it available to him due to the inability of the Chairman of Plateau State independent Electoral Commission to furnish him with the details to be tendered before the Tribunal.
However, counsel to the 3rd respondents, Barr Sunday Obende told the tribunal that he does not object to the application.
The Counsel to PLASIEC who is the former Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Chairman, Barr. Ledak Dafer also said no objections, but explained that due to the difficult process for the Chairman to go into the room to begin searching for the result sheets of Langtang North LGA, the Chairman should order the secretary to do so when the (secretary) is in court.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Barr. Oguala Harrison also didn’t object to the application, urging the defense counsel to ensure that he produces the needed documents to fast track the process and speed up judgement without delay .
Justice J. K Binjin however adjourned the sitting to 24th April, 2019 for the first defendant, Hon Kparnim Nanloh Amos to open his defense.
