The President, Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Justice Monica Dongbang Mensen, has warned that any Election Petition Tribunal Registry Staff who tries to compromise the process will lose their job and will be prosecuted.
She issued the warning on Monday while declaring open a two-day capacity building Workshop for Election Petition Tribunal Registry Staff in Abuja with the theme, ‘Challenges Arising from Election Petition Tribunals and the way Forward.’
Justice Mensen informed the over three hundred Registry staff that elections play a vital role in a democratic system of any nation and establishment of Elections Tribunals assists in addressing shortcomings that arises during elections, urging the Registry Staff to take the national assignment with all sense of patriotism.
She noted that the Court of Appeal, being the penultimate Court is empowered to establish Election Tribunals and have the Registries opened at least seven days before the election.
Justice Mensen said, “the Registry is a very important organ of an Election Petition Tribunal and its administrative duties include the receipt of the Petition and other Court Processes for filing, issuance of hearing notices, preparation of Court Proceedings and Orders, custody and safekeeping of the Tribunals’ documents, compilation of records among various other duties and responsibilities.”
She reminded them that, petitions before Election Tribunals are time bound urging them to ensure that processes are properly and timely filed once they are brought to the Registry to forestall administrative injustice to the Parties before such matters are adjudicated.
Justice Mensen explained that, the effectiveness, quality, efficiency, transparency and speed of the Registry have direct impact on the performance and justice delivery of the Election Tribunal.
She emphasized that, “the training consists of scintillating topical issues that will in no small measure prepare you for your assignment. I therefore urge you to pay rapt attention to every detail of it so that you can be well equipped and informed of your roles as Tribunal Secretaries and support staff as elaborated in the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and the Election Judicial Proceedings Practice Direction, 2022.”
Justice Mensen also advised the participants to live above boards in order not to put the Judiciary into disrepute adding that, the Court will not hesitate to deal with anyone found wanting.
She warned them not to see it as an opportunity to make money but rather to build reputation for the future.
The Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, represented by Mrs. May Agba-Muche, reiterated the commitment of the electoral umpire in providing credible, free and fair elections in the country.
Also, one of the Development Partners and Country Representative International Foundation for Election System (IFES), Mr. Seray Jah, promised more support for the success of Elections in Nigeria.
