BY OKHIDE EM’YA DAVID
Edo 2020 Election Petition Tribunal has warned all parties to litigations at the Tribunal to strictly adhere to guidelines for prosecution to ensure quality hearing and judgements.
The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem, while addressing Parties to the Suites at the inaugural sitting of the Tribunal said they were committed to completing the five petitions before the tribunal deadline which will be within the stipulated time frame.
Justice Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem, who solicited co-operation from all parties and counsel, however assured that the tribunal would perform its duties without prejudice for any party or interests.
His words: “We wish to assure you that in our quest to get to the truth of the matters before us; we shall act in good faith, and shall do our work with open mind, without any form of bias or appearance of any preconception. We also pledge not to lend ourselves to any form of external influence”.
During the sitting, the petitioners sought for an ex parte motion for substituted means of service against their respective respondents.
Following the petitioners’ applicant motion, the presiding Judge, Justice Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem, granted their orders, and adjourned to Monday December 7, for pre-hearing process.
Edo State governorship Election Petition Tribunal commenced sitting on petitions filed by political parties contending the outcome of the September 19 governorship election that brought in governor Godwin Obaseki for a second term, on Friday.
The Governor of the State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki had contested on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and was declared winner of the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Political parties seeking to disqualify Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Tribunal are Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
