APC, APGA reduce number of witnesses at Nasarawa tribunal

ATTORNEYS appearing before the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Lafia have agreed to reduce the number of witnesses they plan to present before the tribunal.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate, Labaran Maku, are challenging the victory of Governor Tanko Al-Makura of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the commencement of pre-trial session, counsel to Governor Al-Makura, Yusuf Ali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) disclosed to the tribunal that all the parties involved in the matter, including the petitioner have agreed to present 171 witnesses during proceedings.

Yusuf Ali, explained that counsel to the petitioner have agreed to reduce their witnesses from 160 to 60 to allow for speedy proceedings so that the tribunal conclude its assignment within the stipulated time.

According to him a total of 29 witnesses would testify for his client, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, while 55 would testify for the second respondent (INEC) and 27 for the third respondent (APC).

The Chairman of the tribunal, Halima Mohammed, who reiterated that the tribunal would not condone unnecessary delays from the parties involved, maintained that the tribunal was committed to dispensing justice within the constitutional 180 days.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the pre-trial session, counsel to Governor Al-Makura, Yusuf Ali, SAN, assured that the witnesses in the matter would be exhausted within the time frame given by the tribunal.

On his part counsel to the petitioner, Henry Michael Ihunde, expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation from all the parties involved, noting that the action would enable tribunal dispense justice within the stipulated time.