The presidential election petition tribunal in Abuja has instructed attorneys for everyone who brought a case before the court to avoid superfluous formalities and focus on the substance of their clients’ claims.
This was stated by the five-member panel’s initial meeting, which was presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani.
Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were declared the winners of the contentious 2023 presidential election, and the panel began hearing petitions from disgruntled presidential contenders on Monday.
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Justices Stephen Adah, Misitura Bolaji-Yusuf, Boloukuoromo Ugo, and Abbah Mohammed are additional panellists.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Tsammani asked the attorneys to avoid engaging in pointless minutiae that would impede the swift consideration of the applications.
He said;
Election is time bound; let us not waste unnecessary time; let us cooperate with each other so that everyone will leave here satisfied.
Avoid unnecessary technicalities, we are determined to look at all the matters brought before us.
“Let us look at what is good for our country and avoid time-wasting applications.
He said there were five petitions; the first three would be heard on Monday, while the last two would be heard on Tuesday.
Responding, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, said that the law-bound lawyers would adhere strictly to the rule of law throughout the proceedings.
Mr Olanipekun assured the lawyers would give their full support to the cause.
Other senior advocates also agreed with Mr Olanipekun.
Shortly after the judges recessed after the opening to prepare to hear the petitions, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, walked into the courtroom and exchanged pleasantries with lawyers and litigants in court.
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, had declared Mr Tinubu the winner of the February 25 Presidential Election.
