Judges of the Kano governorship election tribunal were not physically in court as they set out to deliver judgment via Zoom in a petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to challenge the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
According to reports, journalists, lawyers, party members, and many others were denied access to the court on Wednesday morning.
The Secretariat of the tribunal said there would be no live broadcast of the judgment and that the few journalists admitted into the court would not be allowed to use smartphones or cameras.
However, according to sources, the trial would take place virtually.
The three-member panel’s chairman, Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, addressed via Zoom to open the proceedings.
On the grounds of alleged electoral irregularities, such as excessive voting, underage voting, and violence, the APC is contesting Governor Yusuf’s victory. In its appeal, the NNPP urged the tribunal to affirm Governor Yusuf’s victory and refuted the accusations.
