The Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja has commenced hearing on the petitions filed by opposition political parties and their candidates challenging the president-elect, Bola Tinubu’s victory.
The Election Petition Court also assured litigants that it would ensure justice was done in all petitions before it.
A five-member panel of the court led by Haruna Tsammani, who heads the Abuja division of the appellate court, gave the assurance on Monday at its inaugural sitting at the headquarters of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The panel consists of Stephen Adah, Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo, Abba Mohammed, and Misitura Bolaji-Yusuf.
Mr. Tsammani advised lawyers to avoid frivolous applications that could delay proceedings at the court. He said, “Knowing full well that election matters are time-bound; let us avoid unnecessary time-wasting applications. Let us avoid making sensational comments or statements.”
He further noted that the court would focus on the substance of the case(s) rather than unnecessary technical arguments.
In response to the court’s appeal, Bola Tinubu’s lead lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), assured the court of their cooperation. “We are not unmindful of our responsibilities as members of the Bar.
“I want to assure your Lordships of our unflinching support. Whatever the court wants to do to accelerate the matters, we are ready to give the court our support,” Mr. Olanipekun said.
Similarly, the Labour Party’s lawyer, Levy Uzoukwu, and Chris Uche of the PDP, both SAN, pledged their support to the court. Mr. Uzoukwu said the court’s decision would deepen Nigeria’s election jurisprudence.
It is expected that the court would thoroughly examine the facts presented by the parties and deliver a just and unbiased judgment on the matter.
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