Election Petitions Tribunal Begins Sitting In Benin

The Election Petitions Tribunal in Edo State was inaugurated in Benin today at the newly constructed High Court.

The three-man Election Petition Tribunal(with a female judge in the panel) is Headed by Court of Appeal Judge from Abuja Judicial District.

Speaking at the inauguration, Justice Paul Obi Elechi declared: “We are sent to this state from Abuja to adjudicate on election conflicts arising from the just concluded elections in the state.

“We of this panel have accepted the challenge to serve in this capacity. We have not come to this part of the country before; we are completely new here,” he stated.

He therefore sought the peoples’ cooperation in the discharge of their duties..

According to Justice Elechi”we will need maximum cooperation from all of you especially the bar, that whatever petition you have we expect you to handle it diligently. We have 180 days for the sitting of this Election Tribunal.”

The chairman of the tribunal further said the Panel will start sitting by 9am every day including Saturdays while there will be no sitting on Sundays and public holidays.

Justice Elechi said sitting on Fridays would be adjusted for those who would like to go to mosque for prayers.

The chairman said that they would not entertain frivolous adjustment and that only adjustment that cannot be overlooked will be considered.

He emphasised the need for the presence of the parties involved in the litigation and those that come late will have problem with their lawyers.

He pleaded for a peaceful atmosphere and warned all parties involved in the Election Tribunal not to venture to offer any of the member any inducement.

In his words: “We don’t want to induced. if you don’t know what to use your money for go and give it to the needy.”

He asked for police presence for security purpose, and to check lawyers’ bags before allowing them to enter the venue of the Tribunal.

But after the lawyers complained about the directive, he promised to relax it.

There are six cases before the tribunal; one senatorial petition, and five House of Representative petitions.

After the inauguration, the tribunal adjourned till tomorrow for the consideration of the petitions before it.
By Yomi Obaditan/ Benin City