There was a mild drama at the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja yesterday, as some witnesses disowned their depositions before the panel. Four witnesses from Adavi local government area of the state provided evidence for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu.
Despite being in different polling units during the November 11, 2023 governorship poll, the witnesses gave virtually the same narration regarding what transpired where they voted. They adopted their witness depositions on oath, similar to previous witnesses.
However, during cross-examination by the respondents’ counsel, they made claims different from what was stated in the witness depositions. When shown their deposition, they disowned it, stating it was not written by them, and confirmed that they were not polling agents but random voters.
One of the witnesses, Rufai Muhammed, initially stated in his deposition that there was no validly accredited voter for the said election. However, during cross-examination, he claimed he was validly accredited to vote and did vote. He denied his previous deposition, stating he did not write it.
Similarly, another witness, Yakubu AbdulAzeez, mentioned standing at a particular point throughout the voting period on election day, observing the proceedings. He claimed to have witnessed over-voting from that vantage point.
