Three Witnesses Due To Testify For David Mark Mysteriously Abscond

Three witnesses due to testify yesterday for Senator David Mark at the National and State Legislative Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, have absconded.

Kenneth Ikonne, lead counsel to the former Senate president, before the beginning of the defence, told the tribunal that he would call eight witnesses, saying he had lost some of his witnesses to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

When the sixth witness was called, he was not present.

Ikonne told the tribunal that he was not familiar with the Benue political terrain.

Said he: “Something strange seems to be happening here. My witness came to me and said he has defected to the APC. He spoke with other witnesses and now I cannot see them in court.”

Onazi Emmanuel, Paul Okpe Anyebe, Julius Ali, who were called to testify, were not in court.

A witness told the tribunal that the March 28 election was free and fair in Benue South.

The matter was adjourned till Thursday for continuation of defence.