The Chairman of Niger State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Angela Otaluka, has reiterated the tribunal position to do justice without fear or favour insisting that the tribunal under her watch cannot compromise its statutory duty.
She warned that on no account should anybody including staff, relatives, friends and counsels be deceived under the pretext of accepting any gratification or compromise in any forms.
Justice Angela Otaluka made the position of the tribunal known at the inaugural sitting of six member of the National and State house of Assembly Election petition tribunal held at the court room of the High court No one in Minna on Tuesday
According to the Tribunal Chairman, it is the commitment of the tribunal to ensure that every participant and stakeholders in the Election matters will be given a level playing ground to handle their case and exhibit their prowess within the limited time of 180 days as prescribed by the law.
She urged the counsels to keep to the rules and maintain the highest integrity and ethical attitude and behaviour expected of them in the discharge of their responsibility.
She reminded the counsels and other participants in the tribunal that the procedure to be adopted in the preparatory period for filling Election petition and responding to it is strict and harsh and gives no room for mistake.
“Therefore, all major stakeholders must master the rules and regulations like the pathfinder to the mountain top before you take a step as no laxity would be allowed”, she asserted.
Justice Otaluka assured of the unflinching cooperation of the bench towards helping in building and strengthening of the framework of the democracy, “of our country Nigeria.”
The Nigerian Bar is like an iroko tree with sever branches representing Hon. Justices and learned gentlemen at the bar.”
This we should maintain a cordial coalition to achieve a common goal”, she added.
She noted that the panel hold the members of the bar in the highest esteem and expect them to prosecute their cases with deep respect and difference to the bench.
“We appeal to every stakeholders for cooperation and commitment to enable us achieve the aims of justice.”
A total of 31 petitions of the three Senatorial districts and House of Representatives while 19 of the petitions were filed for the State House of Assembly and four more of the petitions from the recently re-run election is being expected according to the Secretary of the tribunal Barrister Usman Mohammed Jankoli.
Speaking on behalf of the counsels, a Kaduna based legal practitioner, Barrister Sani Ndanusa Katy, SAN, assured that the counsels in the matter before the tribunal will do everything within the ambit of the law to support the panel in ensuring the dispensation of justice.
He stated that the bar and all counsels would exhibit high level of decorum in their matters assuring that they will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring the speedy dispensation of Justice within the 180 days time limits of the tribunal.
