The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has been summoned by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Court of Appeal premises.
The tribunal summoned Yakubu on Wednesday, July 17. Also ordered to appear before it is Zamfara Stata Resident Electoral Commissioner.
The duo are to appear before the panel to answer questions relating to the 2019 general elections.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Garba Mohammed directed the INEC chairman to appear before 12 noon on Friday or risk a court action against him.
Also, the tribunal ruled that the resident electoral commissioner in Zamfara state should not fail to appear with the INEC Chairman.
The tribunal gave the order following a complaint by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that the subpoena served on both INEC officials, since July 12 and 15, have not been complied with.
Justice Garba Mohammed gave the order after PDP counsel informed the court that they served copies of the court’s subpoena on the INEC officials since July 12 and July 15, respectively.
While the PDP said it served the copy of the subpoena to the REC in Zamfara on July 12, that of Mr Yakubu was said to have been served on him on July 15.
However, the tribunal noticed from the record of the court that the Chairman of the first respondent, INEC and REC Zamfara were duly served to produce document named therein.
“The Chairman and REC Zamfara as well as the legal team representing them in this matter are to comply with the order.
“They have the duty to comply and obey the subpoena
“They have been directed to produce documents in the subpoenas by 12pm on Friday,” the tribunal held.
The PDP had accused INEC of conniving with the ruling All Progressives Congress to ensure the victory of the President Muhammadu Buhari in the February presidential election.
The PDP named INEC as its first respondent in the petition while Mr Buhari was named second respondent and the APC, the third respondent in the petition.
The PDP argued that its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, won the elections but was cheated by INEC who declared Buhari winner of the February 23, presidential poll.
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