Tribunal may dock Gov. Bello’s father, NYSC DG, NECO Registrar, others next week

The Niger State Governorship Election petition tribunal sitting in the State High Court complex, Minna has ordered a re-service of the subpoena on Colonel Sani Bello, father of the 1st defendant, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello; Registrar, National Examination Council; Director General National Youth Service Corps; and Prof. Promise Okpala within 72 hours, adding that they appear before it on June 27, 2019.
The decision was sequel to a ruling on Friday on the application by Counsel to the petitioners, Umar Nasko and Peoples Democratic Party, Mohammed Ndayako.
The application seeks a bench warrant on the five subpoenaed persons.
The Presiding Chairman of tribunal, Justice I. Igboji, held that while Okpala was not served, the service on the three others – Colonel Bello, DG NYSC and Registrar of NECO – were defective as the subpoena was not served on them in person.
It should be recalled that Ndayako had on Wednesday during the tribunal sitting said the bench warrant became necessary after the parties defaulted on a subpoena issued.
In his application, Ndayako prayed the tribunal to issue a warrant of arrest on Colonel Bello, DG of NYSC and Registrar of NECO for defaulting on the tribunal’s subpoena issued on them to appear without reason.
Igboji further held that since the Mokwa LGA Secretary was duly served and did not appear he was in contempt of the court.
The Presiding Chairman therefore ordered a re-service of its subpoena on Colonel Bello, DG of NYSC, Registrar of NECO and Prof. Okpala.