Elections Petition: Tribunal warns lawyers against delay

 

                  Chairman of the National and State Legislative House Elective Tribunals in Cross River State, Justice C. Awubra, warned lawyers to desist from making frivolous applications and requests for unnecessary adjournments as sitting commenced in Calabar Tuesday.
                   Awubra who led two other judges, Justices O. A. Adeniyi and J. U. Oyomire, said the Tribunal, to the exclusion of any court or tribunal has original jurisdiction to hear and determine all the petitions arising from the National and State Legislative Assemblies elections held on April 11, 2015.
He said a total of 24 petitions were filed within the time stipulated by law.

“The task upon the tribunal is enormous and daunting. Time is of the essence, as each of the petitions must be decided within 180 days from the date of filing. We therefore implore all legal practitioners to exhibit due diligence and professionalism in the discharge of their duties. Please ensure to desist from making frivolous applications and requests for unnecessary adjournments. We must discourage the practice employing undue technicalities and any act capable of causing delays in the dispensation of petitions.
“On our part we promise to always abide by the provisions of all the enabling laws. We shall discharge the task before us within the law and in compliance with our oath of office,” Awubra said.
Attorney General of the state, Attah Ochinke, who spoke on behalf of the bar, pledged that all hands would be on deck to ensure the Tribunal gives credence to the will of the people.
He promised that undue delays would be eschewed given that time was of the essence.
Eight cases were heard Tuesday – two for the Senate, five for the House of Representatives and one for the State House of Assembly.
All the petitioners sought that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) makes available election materials for inspection by experts and forensic analysts, of which the Tribunal granted and urged the electoral body to cooperate speedily.