Continuation of proceedings at the National and State Assemblies Election Petition Tribunal at the High Court of Justice West of Mines, Jos, has been affected by the ongoing nationwide strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
The Election Tribunal which adjourned its sitting two weeks ago to resume today, April 14, for a continuation of hearing, is entertaining only one petition filed by Rt. Hon. George Daika and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and two others following the Plateau Southern Zone Senatorial by-election held on December 5, 2020.
However, the Chairman, other members of the panel as well as counsel involved in the petition were locked out and denied entry into the court premises as all entrances were sealed by leaders of the Union.
The ugly development prompted the panel and counsel (for both the petitioners and the respondents) to put their heads together after which they agreed that an alternative venue is provided taking into cognizance that election petitions are so generic and time-bound.
Consequently, the Secretary of the Tribunal was mandated to forward the request to the Chief Judge and get back to the Tribunal thereafter.
The Secretary of the Tribunal, Mua’zu Bagudu, who spoke outside the West of Mines Court premises, described the situation as unfortunate noting that the Tribunal is ad-hoc committee work, ought not to be involved in the strike action.
Bagudu further lamented that the implication of the development was the continued running of the 190 days provided for by the Constitution which cannot be extended by any court.
