The election agent assigned by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to polling unit no 019 located in Gama Ward, Balarabe Garba was, on Thursday, barred from giving evidence at the ongoing Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
Balarabe, who appeared before the court led by Barr. Abiodun Jelili Owonikoko received a vehement objection from the respondents, who told the court that the witness is not qualified to testify on the outcome of the election in one of the polling units in Gama ward.
Counsel to INEC, Barrister Adedayo Adedeji told the court that the witness, Balarabe swore to a statement on oath, although his name is not on the list of witnesses that were enlisted to give evidence before the court, urging the court refrain from allowing the witness to testify before it.
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje through his counsel, Barrister Offiong Offiong(SAN) adopted the submission made by counsel to INEC, he said the witness from Gama ward, Nassarawa Local Government, is not qualified to give testimony on the outcome of the governorship elections held on 9th and 23rd march, 2019.
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Responding, the counsel representing PDP, Barrister Abiodun Jelili Owonikoko said that, at that stage, the petitioners cannot verify, if the name of the witness is listed on the list or the contrary, he then prays to withdraw the witness from giving evidence.
Owonikoko further prayed the court to adjourn the matter, stating that the petitioners would require time to sought some hitches.
The tribunal chairman, Justice Halima Shamaki granted the request made by the petitioners, she ordered the matter adjourned to July 27 for continuation.
Earlier, one Mohammed Hassan a resident of Gama quarters gave evidence before the court, he told the court that he served as a PDP agent during the 2019 Kano governorship elections.
Mohammed told the tribunal that the 9th March 2019 gubernatorial elections was free and fair, adding that, he signed the results sheet, on the behalf of the petitioners.
Speaking under cross-examination, he said the 23rd march 2019 governorship elections held in Kano was marred with violence, noting that the development compelled him to abstain from signing the result sheets.
