NBA Opens Defence In Gadzama’s Case Challenging The Outcome Of The 2016 NBA Presidential Election

The matter instituted by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN which is pending before Hon. Justice O. A. Adeniyi of Court 19, FCT High Court sitting in Apo came up for defence today, Thursday, 24th May, 2018. At the commencement of the day’s proceedings, the 1st Defendant’s Counsel earlier informed the Court that his witness was yet to arrive Court. This necessitated a stand down of the matter to await the 1st Defendant’s witness. The 2nd to 6th Defendants’ Counsel also informed the Court that their witness- the 3rd Defendant (Mr. Oluwaseun Ajoba) who he said is the NBA Illesha branch Chairman was unavailable due to the ongoing NBA Illesha branch law week. The 1st Defendant’s Witness – Oti Edah (Assistant Director, NBA Programs Department) later arrived and was examined in Chief. The Plaintiff’s Counsel cross-examined the witness. She was also cross-examined by other Defendants’ Counsel save for the 8th Defendant. There was no re-examination and the Witness was thereafter discharged. The Court further set down the matter for definite continuation of defence tomorrow, Friday 25th May, 2018. The Court cautioned the 2nd to 6th Defendants to ensure that their witness is in Court tomorrow or liaise with other defendants to bring theirs otherwise the 2nd to 6th Defendants will be foreclosed if they fail to produce their witness. This development has now brought the 1st Defendant’s defence to a close. The 2nd-6th (Chairman, Secretary & Members of 2016 ECNBA), 7th (Grace Infotech) and 9th (A . B Mahmoud, SAN) have one witness each and that leaves a total of 3 witnesses for defence in the matter to be concluded. The Court had at the last adjourned date enjoined all Defendants to make their witnesses available in Court today. Chief S. T. Hon, SAN & J. N. Egwuonwu, SAN led the Plaintiff’s legal team. Yunus Ustaz Usman, SAN led a team of lawyers on behalf of the 1st Defendant (The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association). S. I. Ameh, SAN led a team of lawyers on behalf of the 9th Defendant (A. B. Mahmoud, SAN) while the other Defendants were represented by their respective Counsel.]]>