By Bashir Muhammad Inuwa
Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), a star witness in the ongoing petition before Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, has said that APC Governorship candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna never congratulated Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf as winner of the poll conducted, on the 18th March 2023.
Bichi, who appeared today, Saturday as Petitioner’s witness Number 31, (PW 31) said Gawuna did not congratulate Yusuf while responding question from INEC Counsel.
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At that point, the counsel displayed a copy of National daily Newspaper, which according to him, published story of Gawuna felicitating with Abba Kabir Yusuf, but the PW31 insisted that Gawuna never done any congratulation to the 2nd Respondent.
He said he is registered member of APC, (Petitioner) and registered at Bichi Ward, in Bichi LGA.
He similarly said he has never involved in the making of NNPP membership.
Under Cross Examination, the witness testified that he recieved the updated voters regisration from INEC, (1st Respondent.)
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Rabiu Suleiman Bichi stated that by virtue of his position as Returning Agent, he is familiar with the fact of the case.
He added that, during the exercise he didn’t act as ward, or Local Government Agent but State Returning Agent.
He confirmed that in his Witness Testimony on Oath, dated 6th May, 2023 he never complaints on the conduct of the election in Gaya, Doguwa, Sumaila, Takai and Dawakin Tofa LGAs respectively.
Under cross examination, the Witness maintained that all the documents he collected from INEC were signed, binded and contained Logo of the Commission.
Under cross examination the witness was later asked to show and stated the serial number of Abba kabir Yusuf from the NNPP Membership register.
The witness read out the serial number of the 2nd Respondent in the register as follows:
NNPP/HQ/KN/DWL/BS/001.
After he was cross examined, PW 31 discharged.
Accordingly, Dr Aminu Idris Harbau, (PW 32), as examiner in chief, told the court that he is Chief lecturer of Sa,adatu Rimi College, Kano.
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He said he is analyst and served with the copy of subpoenae from the Tribunal.
Under Cross Examination, the witness told the court that he was engaged by the Petitioner to analysed the Ballot papers they collected from INEC.
Under cross examination, the PW32 affirmed that the petitioner did not engaged his service through his employer.
PW 32, further maintained that after the conduct of the election on 18th March, 2023, he was engaged to do the analysis of the Ballot papers of 34 LGAs of kano.
He testified that for a report or analysis to be correct it has to be scientifically, mathematics and empirically corrected.
He added that he has never contacted INEC in his analysis, but previously engaged in Electoral Process, where he served as Presiding Officer, (Adhoc Staff)
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The witness under cross examination affirmed that he didn’t invalidated any of APC ballot papers.
After his testimony, he was discharged.
Offiong Offiong SAN, lead counsel of the petitioner, told the court that APC closed its case with 32 witnesses.
The 3-Judge-Panel Tribunal presided over by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay adjourned the sitting until 20th July, 2023 for continuation of hearing.
