Tribunal Sacks Another LG Chairman In Plateau

Jos, Plateau, June 07, (THEWILL) - An appeal court sitting in Jos has sacked the chairman of Wase local government area of Plateau state, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar of the PDP.The appeal court in the judgment delivered by Justice Yargata Nimpar, upheld the judgment of the local government election petition tribunal which ordered Abubakar to vacate office as chairman while declaring the AC candidate in the election Mohammed Zakari as winner of the November 2008 local government election in the state. Abubakar who was declared winner of the November 28 controversial local government elections in Plateau, by the state independent electoral commission, PLASEIC, has been functioning as the chairman of the local government for over a year now.Abubakar had appealed the judgment of the tribunal on grounds that evidence was taken from videotape in Hausa.Justice Nimpar in the judgment said the decision of the lower tribunal was right as it has the right under the evidence act to use the tape as evidence since the expertise of an interpreter was used before the lower tribunal to arrive at its decision.

Zakari expressed happiness with the decision of the tribunal stressing that he will utilize the little time he has to work towards the aspiration of people of Wase.

He also expressed his appreciation to his supporters for standing by him throughout the trial and assured he will not witch-hunt anybody as a result.

The judgment brings to five the number of local government chairmen elected in the November 2008 sacked by the courts. The others include Bokkos, langtang North, Langtang South, and Mikang.