From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Chairman, Niger State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Angela Otaluka has said the tribunal would do justice without fear or favour and would not compromise its statutory duty.

She warned that on no account should anybody, including staff, relatives, friends and counsel be deceived or accept any gratification.

Justice Otaluka said this at the inaugural sitting of the six-member of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal at the court room of the High Court Number One in Minna, yesterday.

According to the, it is the commitment of the tribunal to ensure that every participant and stakeholders in the election matter 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 law.

She urged the Counsel to keep to the rules and maintain the highest integrity, ethical and behaviour expected of them in the discharge of their responsibility.

The chairman reminded them and other participants in the tribunal that the procedure to be adopted in the preparatory period for filing election petitions and responding to it was strict and harsh and therefore gives no room for mistakes.

“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 stated.

Justice Otaluka assured of the unflinching cooperation of the bench towards building and strengthening of the framework of democracy in the country.

“We should maintain cordial working relationship to achieve a common goal,” she added.

She said that the panel hold members of the bar in the highest esteem and expect them to prosecute their cases with respect and dignity to the bench, adding “we appeal to all stakeholders for cooperation and commitment to enable us achieve the aims of justice.”

Thirty-one 31 petitions from the National Assembly elections in the state, 19 petitions from state House of Assembly and four from the recently concluded re-run elections were being expected according to the Secretary of the tribunal, Barrister Usman Mohammed Jankoli.

Speaking on behalf of the Counsel, a Kaduna-based legal practitioner, Sani Ndanusa Katy, SAN, assured that they would do everything within the ambit of the law to support the panel in ensuring the dispensation of justice.

He stated the counsel would exhibit high level of decorum in their matters and would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring speedy dispensation of justice within the 180 day time limit of the tribunal setting.