Tribunal: Akume’s lawyer apologises over unsubstantiated claims

Erstwhile Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District George Akume may be heading for another demoralizing defeat in the hands of Senator Emmanuel Orker Jev at the election petition tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

During cross examination of witnesses yesterday, the Akume legal team which had uploaded about 200 witnesses could not tender up to three in court. One Asema Tersoo who was represented by his initials A.T. was attempted to be cleverly substituted by one Agugu Terdoo who bears the same A.T. initials but was identified as the wrong A.T. and the Orker Jev legal team raised an objection which was upheld by the court.

After that attempt failed, Akume’s lawyers prayed the tribunal’s permission to bring in additional witnesses claiming a supreme Court precedent. But when the tribunal chairman His Lordship Justice R.O. Odudu asked them to cite the case, the requested for adjournment to today to enable them check up on their evidence. Their request was granted and case adjourned only for Akume’s lead counsel Ishaq Dikko to end up profusely apologising to the tribunal over the bluff and immediately sought permission of the tribunal to attend to more pressing engagements in Nassarawa state.

After the abrupt departure of their lead counsel, Akume’s lawyers sought for adjournment, there was no objection from Sen Orker Jev’s legal team led by Chief EK Ashiekaa SAN and the case was adjourned to 22nd through to 27th July, 2019.

Akume is challenging the victory of Senator Emmanuel Yisa Orker Jev who defeated him by 157, 726 thousand votes to his 115, 422 thousand votes in the last general election for the Benue zone B or North West Senatorial District election.