Ishaku and Aisha Jummai Alhassan: Appeal Court reserves judgment

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday reserved judgment in an appeal filed by Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state against the nullification of his electoral victory by the state election tribunal.

Justice Abdul Aboki said the court would later announce the date for the judgment in the appeal.

The appeal by Ishaku followed the judgment of the Taraba Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Nov. 7 which   awarded victory to Senator  Aisha Alhassan of APC, also known as Mama Taraba.

Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), Counsel to Ishaku, raised four issues in the appeal.

He said the petition was not accompanied by valid statements as the respondents claimed that it was the fault of the registry.

Agabi said the respondents claimed that the election was marred with corruption yet claimed victory in the election.

He said the respondents also pleaded that Ishaku was not sponsored by the party but later agreed that his sponsorship was not supported by any fact.

He complained that 51 witnesses of the appellant were not reviewed by the tribunal and urged their lordships to allow the appeal.

Mr Solo Akuma (SAN), Counsel to Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP and Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), Counsel to INEC urged the court to allow Ishaku’s appeal.

However, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Counsel to Alhassan, filed a cross appeal, saying INEC had no right to clear a candidate for election.

He urged the court to dismiss Ishaku’s appeal and uphold the tribunal’s judgment.