By
Managing Editor
___________________________
The Sokoto State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned to 26th of August 2023 for parties in the suit to adopt their final written address.
The tribunal had during its last proceeding admitted in evidence the original and certified true copies of the Primary School registers (primary 5A and Primary 6A) of the Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Hon. Idris Mohammed Gobir which were tendered before it.
Counsel to the 1st and 2nd respondents, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN and Malam Yusuf O. Ali SAN, presented the said documents to the court against the previous one tendered by the Counsels to the petitioners.
One of the defense counsels representing 3rd respondent, Barrister Bashir Mu’azu Jodi, APC legal Adviser, sokoto explained that, the school registers of the Deputy Governor tendered before the election petition tribunal were that of primary 5A and Primary 6A respectively.
The People’s Democratic Party had in their petition to the election petition tribunal accused the state Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Idris Mohammed Gobir of allegations of forgery of Primary School certificate.
After arguments by the lawyers of both parties, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Haruna Mshelia admitted both the Original and certified true copies of the said Primary School registers of the 2nd respondent (The Deputy Governor, Hon. Idris Mohammed Gobir) in evidence and also marked it as exhibit.
Meanwhile, the star witness of the 1st and 2nd respondents (Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and Deputy Governor Idris Mohammed Gobir) which the 3rd respondent (APC) also relied upon, Dr. Yakubu Macchido Ahmed an Assistant Secretary of All Progressive Congress has testified before the tribunal.
He tendered many documents which included the Judgement of the Federal High Court, Sokoto Division where it held that the 1st respondent (Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto) is eminently qualified to contest the election that was held on the 18th of March 2023, and that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has no locus standi to institute the action as the suit it has filed has become statute barred.
At the end of the trial, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents closed their defense relying on the evidence elicited and extracted from some witnesses brought by the petitioners during cross-examination.
The tribunal adjourned its sitting to the 26th of August 2023 for all the parties to file and to adopt their final written addresses
