INEC choosing El-Rufai’s lawyer as counsel at tribunal suspicious- Shehu Sani

Senator Shehu Sani has alleged that 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.

The senator who represents Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, contested the 2019 general elections under the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) but lost his bid to return to the senate.

While briefing newsman in Kaduna on Monday, Sani faulted INEC’s choice of counsel. He said, “INEC has decided to hire Governor el-Rufai’s personal lawyer as their counsel; it is suspicious.

“He is the one defending Gov el-Rufai in a case of defamation which he filed against me in four courts in Kaduna state.

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“He is a personal lawyer of el-Rufai, but now being hired by INEC in a case where el-Rufai is a party. A.U. Mustapha is also standing for el-Rufai Vs Union Newspaper and Gabriel Idibia. He has been his personal lawyer; for over 15 years, it is A.U. Mustapha who represents el-Rufai in court.

“How ethical is it for INEC that says it has conducted free and fair election to hire the services of a personal lawyer of a governor who himself is a party in court,” he submitted.

“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.

“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.

Senator Shehu Sani added, “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.

Senator Shehu Sani alleged that he was the winner of the National Assembly that was conducted in Kaduna Central, adding, “We have proof beyond reasonable doubts that l was the winner of the last National Assembly election in Kaduna Central.

“The election was characterized by massive irregularities. The election was planned from the onset to remove some of us and to plan some stash. 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 trive 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.

Senator Shehu Sani assured: “l promised to continue with the case even if the INEC lawyer is substituted or not but it is important to bring it to the notice of the public. It is important to alert the public to know whether INEC is truly an independent body or not.”

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