CJN cautions 2015 election tribunal members against misconduct
THE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on Tuesday, warned judicial officers not to allow politicians make them compromise their integrity in the discharge of their duties.
The CJN, who gave the warning on Tuesday while swearing in the 242 members of Election Petition Tribunals for the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory against the 2015 general election, charged judicial officers to avoid being used as tools to truncate the nation’s democracy.
Justice Mohammed said any judge found wanting would have him or herself to blame, as the National Judicial Council (NJC) would not spare the rod in ensuring that the honour, respect and independence of the Judiciary was protected.
The CJN charged the newly sworn-in chairmen and members of the 2015 Election Petition Tribunal to “shun acts, such as acceptance of gifts or favours from counsel and politicians and the exchange of illicit communications with parties, which acts will erode the integrity of the Tribunals irretrievably.
“You must ensure that all petitions must be founded on grounds contained in Section 138 of the Electoral Act and not on extraneous provisions of law, as the Tribunal is not a court of vain inquisition.
“All your considerations must be founded in law only and not coloured by personal sympathies, opinions or affiliations,” he said, just as he urged them to make use of the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2010, the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules and Practice Direction as their working tools.
“I need not remind you that the Tribunal assignment is very laborous and that you are likely to be overstretched in the handling of election matters. Praises and condemnation will be meted to you in the cause of discharging your duties. Unfortunately, some of the condemnations will come from our partners in the temple of justice. I urge you not to be deterred by the uncomplimentary comments of some politicians and litigants anytime judgment is given against them,” he stated.
Speaking further, the CJN noted that members of the tribunal were painstakingly selected based on their integrity, competence and that the NJC would not hesitate to deal with judge who allowed himself to be influenced by any interest group.
According to him, “I, therefore, urge you all, in doing justice to the petitions before you, to be careful and thorough in your review of the petitions and responses, pleadings, physical evidence, arguments of learned counsel of the parties.
“It is, therefore, apt to remind you that your integrity is sacrosanct. There is no alternative to integrity and it is not negotiable. You must ensure that your acts are in strict conformity with the law.
“It is pertinent to emphasise that Section 134 of the Electoral Act is clear that all petitions must be filed within 21 days of the declaration of the result of an election. You must also bear in mind that Section 285 of the Constitution and Section 134(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 are also clear that all petitions must be heard and judgments rendered in writing and delivered in open court within 180 days of the filing of that petition.
“Any petition presented outside of the statutory time must not be countenanced for any reason,” he added.
Nigerian Tribune
