By Amos Tauna
Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna state, northwest Nigeria, Wednesday appeared before a Kaduna High Court to testify in the libel suit he filed against The Union Newspaper in 2015, over an alleged news report on his (El-Rufai) asset declaration.
El-Rufai in July, 2015 sued The Union Newspaper for allegedly reporting that he declared assets worth N90 billion before the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The matter between the Governor against Union Publishing Company and one other came up before High Court 4 of the Kaduna State High Court of Justice for continuation of hearing wherein the plaintiff himself, El-Rufai testified as plaintiff witness 5.
During his testimony, several documents were sought to be tendered among which was the Code of Conduct Bureau Assets Declaration Form.
The counsel to the defendant, Barrister Abuul Hiifan Andrew, consisted to the misbility of all other documents sought to be tendered except the Code of Conduct Bureau Assets Declaration Form of the plaintiff on the ground that the document sought to be tendered was entirely different from the copy frontloaded before the Court, stressing that the document sought to be tendered is certification of the Code of Conduct Bureau stamp and the date of certification which is the first date of August, 2016 contrary to the document that was frontloaded which did not contained any certification from the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Counsel to the plaintiff, A. U. Mustapha, SAN, in his submission to the objection raised to the defendant counsel argued that the objection was misconception as the document sought to be tendered was relevant and same was frontloaded.
Counsel to the defendant while arguing his case, said, “Also apparent of the document as shown on the date of the certification shows that the document was certified by the Code of Conduct Bureau during the pendency of this case as this suit was commenced in the year 2015 and the document certified in 2016 which clearly shows that as at the time of commencement of this action, the document sought to be tendered was not frontloaded.
“However, the honourable Court admitted the document on the basis that same is relevant to the case and the trail continues as the witness was cross examined and the plaintiff at the end of the proceeding closed their case.”
The case was adjourned to 15th June, 2017 for the defendant to open their defense.
