The National and State Assemblies Election Petition Tribunal has commenced sitting in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The Tribunal, which was scheduled to commence proceedings on May 3rd, 2023 in Calabar, could not sit due to a strike declared by the Cross River State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, (JUSUN).
JUSUN had, during the strike, denied the tribunal access to the High Court Complex in Calabar, venue for the proceedings.
However, at the inaugural meeting the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi in company of Justice Eva Okonkwo and Justice Z. U. Modibbo assured of seamless and timely proceedings despite the initial setback.
Justice Adeniyi further promised that the panel would be fair to all parties, stating “the tribunal is not a battle ground. We will discharge our duties to the best of our abilities as well as proceed seamlessly and without delay.”
Avoid interference
While stressing that members of the panel would abide by the oath to serve in justice and fairness, the chairman of the election petition tribunal further said, “we assure all litigants of a fair trial and we will not entertain any form of interference from any quarters and shall report any attempt to interfere with the tribunal to the security agencies.”
Also, a member of the inner bar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Murtala AbdulRasheed noted that Nigerians as well as members of the international community would be keenly observing the proceedings of the panel, which required professionalism, justice and transparency.
The chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar Branch, Mr. Attah Ochinke also assured of its members preparedness to adhere to professional ethics throughout the panel sitting.
“Our members will take this work seriously and assist the tribunal arrive at just pronouncements,” he added.
Olusola Akintonde
