Plateau Election Tribunal Commences Pre-Hearing On Senate, Rep , State Assembly
Yakubu Busari
The Governorship, National Assembly, State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Plateau State has commenced her inaugural sitting at the West of Mines, state high court Jos with five applications of Mr Sanusi Mohammed Inusa of the UCP challenging the election of Hon Istisfanu Gyang for Plateau Northern senatorial district and that of ,Jos East ,Jos South Federal House of Representative Hon Pam Dongs Vs Hon Musa Bagos .
The Chairman of the Election Tribunal Justice T.N Ezeogwu assured all the petitioners that the Tribunal is made up of men of integrity who can’t compromise their stand because they are well known for their unshakable character.
He warned all parties’ against trying to influence the decision of the tribunal that none of the panel had impeccable characters against corruption “I have taken oath before God and have kept my oath. I also want to say that I am happy to have these members.
They are impeccable people of integrity according to him,we have all taken our oath before God and we are here to do substantial justice to all parties.
Thank God my members are also people who shared the same view as I do about the evil of corruption. As you all know the two main religions, Christianity and Islam say that corruption is not good. The two main religions condemn it”.
The chairman quoted Qur’an 30:41, Exodus 28:8 and Deuteronomy 27:27, all verses in the Holy Books that speak on the evil of corruption and further assured that the tribunal will do justice to all the parties involved, saying that he believed that one day he will give account before God.
Responding, the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Hon. Chrisantus Ahmadu assured members of the tribunal of hospitality of the people of Jos.
“I want to assure you that Jos is peaceful but our greatest asset is not just the weather but the people too. They are welcoming, hospitable and embracing. It is only in Jos that every community is represented”.
He said the task before the tribunal Chairman was not an easy one stressing that apart from the quantum of petitions, there was the issue of time frame.
The Attorney-General further admonished litigants of certain unhealthy practices that most not be encouraged.
He prayed that God grants the Chairman and other members the wisdom of King Solomon so that at the end of the day, everybody will be happy that justice has been dispensed.
Others who spoke were the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Jos Division, Bon Ngyou and Garba Pwul (SAN) who all prayed that the Almighty grants the Chairman and other members the strength to carry out the enormous task before them and the wisdom to do justice to all parties.
After formally declaring open the tribunal, the Chairman said sittings would be on Mondays to Thursdays. He also said that all, especially lawyers are expected to be seated by 9am every day.
He emphasized that before they took their oath of allegiance they all vow to not to take any gratification from anyone who would want to bribe their way to justice, we all placed our religious to serve humanity and be fair to everybody.
According to him, the Tribunal has to do Justice to all because the two major religious disperse corruption and preach against anyone taken bribe to give justice as a condemnable act ,we shall base our judgement on facts and evidence available to the members of the election Tribunal.
Justice TN Ezeogwu formerly declared the Tribunal open which he explained further that the tribunal shall now start sitting by 9am to 4pm with a called on the counsels to be in court before the time .
He cautioned that those found of allowing their phones to ring during the proceedings would be arrested and place on contempt .
The Plateau State Nigeria Barr Association ,Chairman ,Barr Bon Ngyou ask the bench for direction but promised to their member commitment for speedy dispensation of justice .
He said the interface with the practitioners would encourage them to partner very ,Plateau state remain the most peaceful place, he assure them that no kidnapping or threat to their stay here in Jos
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN , Garba Pwul express dissatisfaction with the security security situation in Nigeria were people are getting bad and worst especially the foundation of social Justice has crash .
However ,he stressed that Jos branch has never been mention in the issue of offering gratification to the Barr ,adding, those who conducted election didn’t determine the outcome of result in Nigeria but as members of the Barr the tribunal does so to take decision bring Justice to aggrieved parties because everyone who approach the tribunal think he or she is right.
In a petition filed by petitioner counsel, M.A Tsuwa, told the tribunal that the matter was slated for pre-hearing answering questions from the pre-hearing session ,dated 2nd May,2019 ,we also adopted all our statement on oaths.
He challenging the election of ID Gyang over a missing Logo of his political party in the just concluded election when his Counsel Harrison Uguala first respondent said they have filed their reply which is dated 26th April, 2019 and he also adopted all in their pre-hearing answers to questions.
Others matter that came up for pre-hearing sitting was the APC, Pam Dongs challenging the election of Musa Bagos of the PDP ,Jos South ,Jos East federal rep, Jonathan Dabo of the PDP challenging the election of Haruna Maitala ,Jos North ,Bassa Federal House of Representative, Koomsul vs Johnbull Shekarau Shendam ,Quaanpan Federal rep.
