The absence of witnesses prevents Gov. Abba Yusuf from launching his opening defence

On Friday, Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was unable to present his case at the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal due to the absence of three witnesses.

The APC is suing INEC for announcing the NNPP candidate as the winner of the March 18 election.

INEC, Yusuf, and the NNPP are among the respondents in the case before the tribunal.

When the petition was called, Yusuf’s counsel, Mr Eyitayo Fatigun SAN, informed the court that the three witnesses they had invited were all unavailable.

“We apologies for the delay in getting the three witnesses to Kano from Abuja. “My Lord, we request a postponement,” Fatigun remarked.

The prayer was not opposed by INEC Counsel Emmanuel Osayomi or NNPP Counsel John Olusola SAN.

Offiong Offiong SAN, the petitioner’s counsel, did not object to the second respondent’s motion for an adjournment.

According to NAN, the APC finished its case on July 15 after questioning 32 witnesses, while INEC closed its case on July 21.

Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay postponed the case till Saturday so that the NNPP may present its case.