Isa Ashiru, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 Kaduna State election, made an appeal on Wednesday for additional witnesses to come forward and provide testimony against the victory of the current Governor, Dr. Uba Sani, at the election petition tribunal.
In a petition identified as EPT/KD/Gov/4/23, Ashiru and his party are contesting Gov. Uba Sani’s election win, citing alleged violations of the Electoral Act by INEC and other acts of corruption.
During the proceedings at the election petition tribunal, a witness named Stephen Luka Bivan, who identified himself as an ICT expert knowledgeable about the BVA’s machine, appeared before the three-man panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe.
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Bivan, who is well-versed in the electoral process related to the recent general elections, was cross-examined by the counsels representing the 1st respondent (INEC), 2nd respondent (Uba Sani), and 3rd respondent (APC).
He stated that although he had never worked directly with INEC or any other electoral body, his expertise as a software specialist provided him with insights into the BVA’s machine.
In the course of the proceedings, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the lead counsel for the 1st and 2nd petitioners, Ashiru and PDP, sought the tribunal’s approval to present video evidence and call a witness to explain the exhibit in question.
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However, the counsels representing the respondents objected to the proposed cross-examination of the second witness, citing late service of the video evidence as the reason for needing more time to study its content.
Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN), representing Gov. Uba Sani, stated that they had been served with the video only ten minutes before the session and requested 24 hours to review it.
The PDP counsel acknowledged the late service and apologized for the inconvenience caused. The Oviawe-led panel granted the request and adjourned the case until 20th July 2023 to continue the cross-examination.
