NASS Election Tribunal: INEC Jettisons Independence, Hires Gov. el-Rufai’s Lawyer In My Petition
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, on Monday said a personal lawyer to Governor Nasiru el-Rufai, Barrister A. I. Mustapha is being hired by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as its lawyer at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Kaduna.
Senator Sani, who stated this while briefing journalists in Kaduna on development at the Election Petition Tribunal, Kaduna questioned the ethical stand of INEC that pretends to be independent by using Governor el-Rufai’s personal lawyer in an election that the governor’s victory is being challenged.
He said; “INEC is trying to subvert justice by using Barrister A. U. Mustapha. The lawyer has been el-Rufai’s personal lawyer for years in all Court cases and we are going to prove it beyond reasonable doubt that the same lawyer is working for el-Rufai.
“The same Barrister A. U. Mustaph is the lawyer defending Governor el-Rufai in four cases between my very self and el-Rufai in Kaduna High Court room number 2, 3, 5 and 1.
“I have documents to prove that A. U. Mustapha is a personal lawyer to Governor el-Rufai, even before he became the governor of Kaduna state.
“In spite of many other lawyers in the country, why should INEC hired el-Rufai’s lawyer instead of hiring another lawyer as its representative in the Election Petition Tribunal?”
Senator Sani further said; “l will not keep quiet to see INEC and Governor el-Rufai using such lawyer to subvert justice. Nothing will stop us to voice out anything that is against national justice.”
Sani said that he is the winner of the National Assembly election that was conducted in Kaduna Central, adding, “We have proof beyond reasonable doubt that l was the winner of the last National Assembly election in Kaduna Central.
In his words: “The election was characterized by massive irregularities. The election was planned from the onset to remove some of us and to plant some stooge. Our leaders cannot claim to be men of integrity in an election that was characterized with all forms of irregularities.”
He noted that the country’s democracy could only strive if a political process was put in place to ensure credible, free, fair and peaceful election that will give rise to leaders of integrity, responsive and responsible to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
Sani promised to continue with the case even if the INEC lawyer is substituted or not, adding that it is important to bring it to the notice of the public to know whether INEC is truly an independent body or not.
