These are not so good times for Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki as his victory at the March 28 polls is being challenged by the Kwara Central candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq claiming he got majority votes and should be declared winner.
At the resumption of hearing on Monday, petitioner’s counsel, Francis Obumse, closed his case, giving way to respondents’ counsel to present their defence.
Four witnesses, as well as the petitioner himself, his aide, Mr Oloyin Adebayo, a forensic analyst, Mrs Nkolly Asika Obumse and State INEC Head of Legal Team, Tunde Salako, all testified before the tribunal during the five days allotted for the PDP candidate to prove his case.
However, two additional exhibits were on Monday admitted including stubs/counterfeits of used ballot papers in respect of senatorial election in Kwara Central and the issued but unused ballot papers in the election were marked as Exhibits P5 and P6.
Counsel to Saraki, Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) on Monday closed his defence without calling for any witness, but his APC counterpart, Abdulwahab Bamidele requested for short adjournment to enable him call forth their witnesses.
Petitioner’s counsel, Francis Obumse also closed his case, giving way to respondents’ counsels for defence.
Four witnesses called by the petitioner all testified before the tribunal during the five days allotted for PDP candidate to prove his case.
The tribunal admitted two additional exhibits; the exhibits include stubs/counterfeits of used ballot papers in respect of senatorial election in Kwara Central and the Issued but unused ballot papers in the election were marked as Exhibits P5 and P6.
Justice Josiah Majebi-led three-man tribunal, however, adjourned the petition till today (Wednesday) for continuation of defence.
Saraki had at the previous sitting opposed the tendering of electoral documents, arguing that the documents were not listed or referred to in any of the deposition of the witness.