The tribunal ruled in favour of the complainants.

The Census Tribunal on Thursday ordered the National Population Commission (NPC) to conduct a recount in two localities in Dutsi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Delivering judgment in Abuja, Abraham Yisa, the Chairman of the Census Tribunal `A’, said the tribunal gave the order because the NPC failed to contradict the claims of the complainant that some of its localities were not enumerated.

The localities are Shabeji and Gazari.

The council had earlier contested the population figure of 120,902 declared for it by the NPC, following the 2006 National Population and Household Census describing the figure as untrue.

It alleged that the respondent failed to enumerate 67 localities, adding that there were not enough enumeration materials in 29 localities.

The complainant blamed the inaccurate enumeration on insufficient enumeration materials.

Mr. Yisa, in the judgment, held that the complainants’ witnesses were able to give first hand evidence in respect to their localities. He held that the tribunal upheld the testimonies of the witnesses, adding that they and their households were not enumerated.

He further said that the complainant was able to give evidence in two out of the 67 localities the complainant alleged not enumerated.

“The complainant called three witnesses, whose testimonies were in respect of three areas which are Shabeji, Gazari and Kogon Burtu Tarno.

“The respondent failed to contradict their testimonies beyond the allegation that their testimonies about their neighbours non-enumeration was a hearsay.

“This is a fact within their observation as enumeration if it took place would happen in their neighbourhood.

“The tribunal findings based on the evidence of two of the complainant witnesses which were not contradicted, that the respondent failed in its duty in Shabeji and Gazari.

“In respect of other areas allegedly not enumerated, the tribunal holds that the complainant has failed to discharge the burden of proving its case on a preponderance of evidence.

“The tribunal, therefore orders NPC to conduct a recount in Shabeji and Gazari areas,’’ Mr. Yisa added.

(NAN)