Tribunal for Plateau State Sacks Law Maker, Bans Him from Elections

The State House of Assembly Election Tribunal for Plateau State has nullified the election of a member of the state House of Assembly representing Langtang South, Mr Vincent Bulus.

The election tribunal also banned the lawmaker from contesting for any election for life according to reports from Tribune.

The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11 House of Assembly Election, Mr. Jackson Danladi, had filed a petition before the Tribunal, challenging the victory of Bulus in the election, alleging that the lawmaker was an ex-convict and therefore could not seek office.

Delivering judgment, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice O O Akeredolu, said the respondent was not qualified to contest the election having been convicted of an offence in line with Section 107(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Justice Akeredolu said: “The respondent, having been convicted of an offence involving fraud and dishonesty by a court of law, was not qualified to contest the election into the Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Langtang South constituency.

“That the election and return of the first respondent as member of Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Langtang South is a nullify.”

However, the tribunal, while observing that the petitioner obtained the second highest number of votes, held that a fresh election should be conducted into the constituency.

Recall that Vincent Bulus Venman was a fraudster who impersonated a former Plateau State Governor, Fidelis Tapgun and allegedly duped a serving senator of N5m has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.