Justice Obadina Chairs Gombe election petition tribunal, assures of ‘just determination’
Chima Azubuike
Justice Morenike Obadina, on Tuesday assured Gombe residents especially litigants of her tribunal’s desire to dispense judgements timely, without bias.
“We want to assure litigants and counsel of expeditious, fair and just determination of all matters before us,” Obadina said.
Obadina of Lagos State Judiciary is the Chairperson of the tribunal, with Justice S. Muktar, of Kebbi State Judiciary and Justice Vincent Onyeka of the High Court of Imo State Judiciary as members.
The PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the tribunal has received no fewer than 11 petitions to dispense within the timeframe.
Our correspondent gathered that two gubernatorial petitions from Peoples Democratic Party Jibrin Barde and African Democratic Congress Nafi’u Bala, have been transferred to Bauchi State for hearing.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony Obadina disclosed that four National Assembly Petitions and eight State Assembly Petitions were filed, adding that one of the petitions EPT/GM/SEN/01/2023 was withdrawn by the Petitioners.
“It was struck out on the 25th of April 2023. Thus, the Tribunal currently has 11 Petitions.
“As you are aware, the Tribunal must conclude hearing and deliver judgment in respect of all the petitions within 180 days from the date of filing. The period of filing and exchange of pleadings has taken up almost six weeks of this time for the National Assembly Petitions.”
While expressing optimism of the panel to dispense judgements without bias, Obadina set ground rules and pleaded for cooperation, adding that “Pre-hearing sessions will commence as soon as all preliminary stages are over. The pre-hearing would take place in this court room. All motions shall come up during the pre-hearing in line with the provisions of paragraph 47(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022 except in extreme circumstances, with the leave of the Tribunal. A Petition is scheduled for commencement of pre-hearing today.”
Also speaking Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, Gombe State branch Tukur Ahmad, commended the panel, while assuring of them of members support.
Ahmad appealed to Obadina-led tribunal to uphold justice and equity in their assignment.
In an interview with journalists, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Gombe State Zubair Umar, said even though the state was not expected to be responsible for anything regarding the tribunal, assured of necessary cooperation without strings attached.
“We are going to provide the assistance to the best of our ability. Gombe will sustain its record of being rated a peaceful state with ease of doing business we want to assure them peace as they carry out their business.
“We are going to make sure that every lawyer that appears before them conducts himself in the best manner of the profession,” he said.
Umar urged residents to support the tribunal with prayers, adding “first is prayers for the peace, success of the tribunal. When they come to observe proceedings they should conduct themselves in honourable and dignified manner; when they are called to give evidence they should know that they are supposed to say the truth and nothing but the truth.”
