6th May, 2015
Henry Ojelu
The Lagos State National and State Assembly Election Tribunal on Tuesday officially began hearing of petitions brought before it by aggrieved politicians who lost at the April 11 elections.
About 20 petitions have so far been brought before the tribunal which is sitting at the Ikeja High Court premises.
At the inaugural sitting, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Sylvanus Oriji, warned lawyers that the tribunal would not tolerate strategies aimed at delaying the expeditious hearing and determination of petitions before it.
The judge noted that election petitions were delicate and sensitive to handle because they must be heard and determined within 180 days as specified by Section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution.
He said it was now established that any judgment delivered by an Election Tribunal in an election petition after 180 days from the date of filing is a nullity.
Oriji implored the lawyers to give the tribunal the necessary support and co-operation both at the pre-hearing conferences and throughout the hearing of the petitions.
He said: “Without your co-operation, it will be difficult for the tribunal to succeed in its onerous task to conclude all the pending election petitions within 180 days as stipulated by the Constitution.
“In this regard, the tribunal will not tolerate any action or omission (or strategy) aimed at delaying or frustrating the expeditious hearing and determination of the petitions.”
He also urged the lawyers to by guided by the rules of professional conduct for legal practitioners and show respect to the Bench and their colleagues while conducting their matters before the tribunal.
The judge advised the media to report the proceedings of the tribunal accurately, adding that they should contact the tribunal’s secretary when in doubt.
He maintained that the tribunal would discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour, noting its interest to do justice was higher than that of any individual.
Other members of the tribunal are Justices K. Dabo and Kadi Yusuf.
Responding on behalf of the lawyers, Mr Ademola Sadiq, assured the tribunal that all the admonitions given by the judge would be strictly adhered to in the interest of justice.