Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna Central Zone, on Saturday, June 29, 2019, raised the alarm at the Elections Petition Tribunal, saying all his witnesses were being threatened by his opponent, therefore, he might no longer present witnesses to prosecute his case to reclaim the mandate to the National Assembly.
Sani, a chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, is one of those challenging the mandate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator, Uba Sani at the tribunal, over the Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone elections .He told Justice A.H Suleiman that his witnesses’ lives were in danger and as such, he was no longer presenting witnesses.
Addressing the Tribunal through his Counsel, Morris Odeh (SAN), Sani said he had no option than to stop further presentation of witnesses and close that aspect to save their lives.
Speaking to journalists after the case was adjourned to July 8, 2019, and July 9, 2019, Sani’s lawyers, led by Odeh (SAN), said the petitioner had presented two witnesses before yesterday’s sitting, adding that when the Tribunal resumes hearing on July 8, 2019, and July 9, 2019, the respondents, APC, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Uba Sani would come to defend the case they presented through the two witnesses.
“Most of our witnesses are from Birnin Gwari Local Council in Kaduna State and their lives are being threatened. They are scared of being killed. So, we have no option than to close our case. “You know Tribunal does not allow substitution of witnesses, otherwise, we would have done that but in this case, we were forced to close it,” Odey said.
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