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No Live Coverage, Tribunal Rules, Throws Out Atiku, Obi’s Petition

Published

2 years ago

May 22, 2023

Eric

The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, on Monday, rejected request to allow its day-to-day proceedings on petitions seeking to nullify the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, to be televised.

The Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five member panel dismissed as lacking in merit, the application which was brought before it by the two major candidates that are challenging the outcome of the presidential election that held on February 25.

The court held that no regulatory framework or policy direction, permitted it to grant such application.

It held that allowing cameras in the court room is a major judicial policy that must be supported by the law.

“The court can only be guided and act in accordance with the practice directions and procedures approved by the President of the Court of Appeal.

“We cannot permit a situation that may lead to dramatization of our proceedings,” Justice Tsammani held.

Besides, the court held that the request was not part of any relief in the petitions before it, saying it was merely hinged on sentimental claim that it would benefit the electorates.

It maintained that the petitioners failed to establish how televising the proceedings would advance their case, adding that such live broadcast would not have any utilitarian value to add to the determination of the petitions.

Whereas it was a former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the election, that initially made the request for a live coverage, subsequently, candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, threw his weight behind the demand for live broadcast of proceedings of the court on the petitions.

The duo, through their lead lawyers, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, and Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, maintained that petitions they lodged to query the declaration of the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as winner of the election, was “a matter of monumental national concern and public interest”.

They argued that the case involved the interest of citizens and electorates in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who he said voted and participated in the presidential poll.

Atiku and the PDP insisted that their case against Tinubu, being a unique electoral dispute with a peculiar constitutional dimension, they said it was a matter of public interest in which millions of Nigerian citizens and voters are stakeholders, with the constitutional right to be part of the proceedings.

They specifically applied for; “An order, directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of Media Practitioners and their Equipments into the courtroom”.

“With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this Honourable Court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing and electronic filing, a departure from the Rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.

“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this Honourable Court, and will enhance public confidence”, the petitioners added.

However, in separate processes they filed before the court, both Tinubu and the APC urged the court to dismiss the application which they described as an abuse of the legal process.

Tinubu, in a counter-affifavit he filed alongside the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, accused Atiku of deliberately attempting to expose the judiciary to public opprobrium.

According to them, the court “is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for public entertainment.”

The respondents maintained that Atiku’s request had no bearing with the petition, insisting that it was only aimed at dissipating the judicial time of the court.

They stressed that Atiku failed to realise that the virtual court system that was adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic, was backed by a practice direction that was administratively issued by the President of the Court of Appeal.

“Another angle to this very curious application is the invitation it extends to the court to make an order that it cannot supervise.

“The position of the law remains, and we do submit that the court, like nature, does not make an order in vain, or an order which is incapable of enforcement,” the respondents added.

Besides, they argued that the application was at best, “academic, very otiose, very unnecessary, very time-wasting, most unusual and most unexpected, particularly, from a set of petitioners, who should be praying for the expeditious trial of their petition.”

“Petitioners have brought their application under Section 36(3) of the Constitution which provides that the proceedings of a court/tribunal shall be held in public.

“The word ‘public’ as applied under Section 36(3) of the Constitution has been defined in a plethora of judicial authorities to mean a place where members of the public have unhindered access, and the court itself, sitting behind open doors, not in the camera.

“Even in situations where a class action is presented, the particular people constituting the class being represented by the plaintiffs or petitioners are always defined in the originating process.

“Here, in this application, the public at whose behest this application has been presented is not defined, not known, not discernable.

“Beyond all these, it is our submission that the court of law must and should always remain what it is, what it should be and what it is expected to be: a serene, disciplined, hallowed, tranquil, honourable and decorous institution and place.

“It is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for ‘public’ entertainment.

“With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court,” Tinubu argued.

On its part, APC, through its team of lawyers led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, told the court that contrary to Atiku’s claim, the presidential election “is not subject matter of any national concern”, insisting that the election was “well managed by INEC with turnout of voters in their millions”.

It argued that proceedings of the court was already being adequately coveted by the media.

“There is nothing unique or peculiar in the electoral dispute that emanated from the outcome of the 25th February 2023 election that is different from the earlier five presidential elections in the country since the Advent of the Fourth Republic and if anything, the February 25 2023 election referred to, has the least litigation since 1999,” APC added.

It further argued that live broadcast “will subject the proceedings of the court to unnecessary sensationalism and undue social media trial, which distracts from the kernel of the serious business before the court.”

Continuing its argument against the application, APC, averred that allowing live televising of the proceedings, “will defeat the protection afforded to witnesses, expose them to avoidable censure and put them in a precarious situation.

“Televising of election tribunal proceedings (live) will only cause unnecessary tension, violence and unrest among the public, which may lead to breach of peace”, APC added, even as it urged the court to dismiss the application in the interest of justice.

INEC equally opposed live broadcast of the proceedings.

The Vanguard

Featured

‘Osun is Proud of You’, Gov Adeleke Hails Davido at 32

Published

5 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Eric

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his nephew and global music icon, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a superstar Osun State is proud of.

In a statement by his Spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor added that Davido’s consistency, energy and passion is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his music career but also in his life as a person.

Governor Adeleke furthered prayed for progress, more success and achievement for him while commending his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged stating that it is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

He said, ” I want to rejoice with my nephew, David Adeleke Davido, on the occasion of his 32nd birthday, I am very happy we are all alive to witness it.

“Davido is a global super star that Osun state is very proud of. The consistency, energy and passion he has inserted into building his music career is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his career but also in his life as a person.

“I pray for him for progress, more success and achievement in long life, prosperity, sound health and mind.

“I equally want to commend his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged. I must say that this is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

“Once again Happy Birthday to Davido”.

Featured

Glo Festival of Joy Promo: Security Trust Boss Wins Toyota Prado in Warri

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Eric

Warri was agog with excitement on Thursday as the Board Chairman of Delta State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Daniel Mayuku, became the first winner of the much coveted Toyota Prado in Globacom’s Festival of Joy promotion.

Mr Mayuku was presented the keys to the prized asset at a ceremony held by the company on Thursday, November 21, at Gloworld, Delta Mall, Warri, by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Ofoni. Friends, admirers and other Glo subscribers joined in the celebration which turned into a carnival in the city with electrifying performances by Ema Dance Troupe.

An overjoyed Mayuku declared: “When I received the first call that I won a Prado in Glo Festival of Joy promo, I believed it was a scam and I immediately told the caller not to call me again. However, after few minutes, I started receiving calls from friends and I decided to call my friends in Glo and they confirmed it. I was in disbelief; I thought it was a scam. I jokingly asked for the car immediately and I was told to come to Glo office for verification and today the jeep has just been presented to me. Globacom is truly Nigerian, a network that delights its subscribers every year. They are still the best.

Other lucky winners also went home with tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines. Ovueve Efejiro, a native of Ughelli, who won Keke, said, ”I just won Keke through Festival of Joy promo, I am very grateful to Glo. This Keke will help my family. My brother will use it for commercial purpose immediately”, while a generator winner Felix Gabriel thanked Globacom for always remembering Nigerians every year in its annual promos.

Speaking at the presentation, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who was the special guest, said “Globacom is a network that is known for giving. Over the years, many Nigerians have been empowered by Glo. The people of my constituency in Warri South West and entire Delta people are grateful to Glo. We will continue to use Glo and I also want to be part of the winners one day soon. So, I will ensure that my line is always on and ready. Kudos to Glo and our own Dr. Mike Adenuga. Please keep on empowering Nigerians.

Similarly, the Head of licensing and operation, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku, commended Globacom for the transparent nature of the promo. She said, “We witnessed the raffle draw few days ago here in Warri where it was conducted in the presence of everyone and today the winners that emerged have been presented their prizes. Congratulations to all the winners.

To participate in the Festival of Joy promo, new and existing subscribers should dial *611# to opt into the promo and to keep recharging. He added that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

“Customers are required to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for grinding machine, a recharge of N500 in a day will be eligible for the draw. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#, Globacom explained.

Guests at the event included representative of Urhobo community in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Hon. Karo Goru Jonathan; Chairman Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Anthony Ofoni; representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku; representatives of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Okieneni and Chief Emmanuel Eyela; President of of Igbudu Market Association, Warri, Chief Rume Kugberu and Nollywood actors, Ese Eriata and comedians Gordons and M.C. Forever.

The next prize-presentation exercise comes up in Lagos, where another set of Nigerians will go home with different prizes including another brand new Toyota Prado, Kia Picanto car, Keke and others.

Featured

Ozekhome Hails Goodluck Jonathan on 67th Birthday

Published

4 days ago

November 20, 2024

Eric

Leading human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, has celebrated former President Goodluck Jonathan as he turns 67 today.

In a heroic-worded eulogy, the renowned author, who recently launched 50 books at once, praised the former president for his gigantic strides during his tenure, and for putting the nation above his personal interest in the aftermath of the 2015 general election.

Below is Ozekhome’s full statement:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR BROTHER AND GOOD FRIEND,DR GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

BY PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, CON, OFR.

GEJ, you are a true democrat in the truest sense of the word.More than 8 years after you left office, many Nigerians are still yearning for your kind of humane and purposeful leadership that shunned discrimination, tribalism, sectionalism, prebendalism and cronyism.

Nigeria surely prospered under you, overtaking South Africa as the biggest rebased economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. For the common man,life was good. You certainly made your mistakes, like us all humans and mortals. But your gargantuan pluses far outweigh your few minuses. God has indeed been very kind to you, raising you from a bootstrap state of nadir to the zenith of power as president of the biggest democracy in the black world. But you never allowed power to intoxicate or overwhelm you as an aphrodisiac.

You showed uncommon humility and selfless leadership- a servant leader. As a living icon phenomenon, you have exemplified the quintessence of the highest virtues and nobility of a good man. At a time Nigeria was on the precipice of collapsing under a looming electoral inferno in 2015, you placed the national interest above your personal interest by conceding defeat to then candidate Muhammadu Buhari, even when votes were still being counted. Your immortal words before that historic occasion to the effect that “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian” easily placed you in the pantheon of rare heroes. The words rekindled the genre of Abraham Lincoln’s imperishable words during his 18th November, 1863 Gettysburg declaration, that “Democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people”. Your continuous shuttle diplomacy across the world with which you illuminate dark electoral crevices has proven you to be a world leader of respected pedigree.

Through you, Nigeria exports Democracy.

Happy birthday to an iconic and uncommon democrat.