Politics
THE Chairman of the Nasarawa and Benue Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, has urged counsel handling election cases to avoid frivolous excuses for adjournment.
Justive Ajayi gave the warning during the combined inaugural sitting of the three-member panel of justices.
He called for the cooperation of all the legal counsel for smooth and timely dispensation of justice.
‘We are here for justice, equity and quick dispensation of justice. We will not entertain frivolous adjournments.
”This tribunal is determined to work within the 14 days mandate,” he warned.
Mr Joe Gadzama, SAN who responded on behalf of all the counsel promised to cooperate with the panel of justices to enable them to do their work seamlessly in the interest of democracy and the rule of law.
When the first petition by the Nasarawa state governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 governorship election, David Ombugadu against the governor of Nasarawa state, Abdullahi Sule was mentioned for pre-hearing, the lead counsel to the petitioner, Gadzama adopted the petition.
While addressing the tribunal, counsel to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondents, Ishaka Dikko, Adebayo Ade and Hassan Liman, SANs adopted their answers to the pre-hearing respectively.
Justice Ajayi fixed June 9 for the continuation of pre-hearing.
The tribunal also entertained the petition by the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP challenging the declaration of Sule as the governor of Nasarawa state by INEC.
In the case between Gov. Hyacinth Alia of the APC and the PDP governorship candidate Titus Uba, the tribunal adjourned sitting until June 8 for continuation of pre-hearing.
Speaking with newsmen after the pre-hearing, Gazama said the adjournment was for the interest of the parties involved.
Gazama said all cases filed in respect of the governorship petitions are at the tribunal for pre-hearing conference.
On his part, counsel to INEC, Diko said all the counsel to the parties had agreed that instead of having staggered applications, all the petitions should be taken and treated within three days. (NAN)
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Tags: Gov. Hyacinth Alia Justice Justice Ezekiel Ajayi Mr Joe Gadzama SAN
