Plateau:Tribunal reserves judgment on Nentawe’s governorship suit against Mutfwang
By Daniel Agada, Jos
Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in High Court 2 Division, Jos, has reserved judgment in a case suit number EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023 between Dr.Nentawe Yilwatda, All Progressive Congress,APC, (1st and 2nd petitioners) against INEC, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and PDP (1st,2nd and 3rd respondents) respectively.
Recall, Dr.Nentawe approached the Tribunal challenging the declaration of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang by INEC as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State, held 18th March, 2023, general election.
The prayers of the petitioners before the Tribunal is that, as at the time of governorship election on 18th March, 2023, the 3rd respondent PDP doesn’t have a valid structure to nominate and sponsor a candidate, 2nd respondent Barr. Caleb Mutfwang.
The petitioners also alleged non substantial compliance with the provisions of electoral act 2022, occasioned by massive irregularities in some polling units in the state, urging the Tribunal to discountenance the return of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as the elected governor of Plateau in favour of 1st petitioner Dr.Nentawe Yilwatda.
Adopting his final submission on the matter, W.A.Olajide Esq, counsel to the 1st respondent INEC, said they have filed four processes as their final written submission on the matter which they humbly adopt all the legal argument.
He contained that the petitioners petition starved to death for lackng in merit, urged Tribunal to dismiss the petition with substantial cost.
Pius Akubo SAN, counsel to the 2nd respondent revealed they have filed five processes which they humbly adopt and relay on as their final submission.
The learned silk said, the petition is sounds and fury, death on arrival.”I urged your Lordships to dismissed the petition in it entirety and affirm the return of the 2nd respondent Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected governor of Plateau state. “
Counsel to the 3rd respondent, Emeka Etiaba SAN, acknowledged they have filed three processes which they seek to adopt same processes and relay on them in urging the Tribunal to dismiss the petition in line with issue one for incompetence. Dismiss the petition for lacking in merit.
On consequential relief sought, the learned silk said the Tribunal should affirm the return of 2nd respondent.
However, Prof.Kayode Olatoke SAN, counsel to the petitioners told Tribunal that they have filed six processes which they have humbly adopt same as their final submission, urging the Court to find merit on the petition and allow issue one.
He prayed Tribunal to declared the votes ascribed to the 2nd respondent as wasted votes and declared 1st petitioner as governor of Plateau state.
The three man panel of the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal led by its chairman, Hon.Justice Rita Irele-Ifijeh, having heard the final adoption of counsels said parties would be communicated through the Secretary of the Tribunal when judgment is ready.
