Expdonaloaded News;Election Tribunal: Lawyer charged for influencing panel, tribunal staff

Lawyers handling cases at the Benue State Elections Petition Tribunal have been charged to advice their clients against trying to influence members of the panel or staff of the tribunal.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Dipeolu gave the advice during the inaugural session of the tribunal yesterday in Makurdi, Benue State capital, While also warning lawyers and litigants from engaging in acts that could distract panel members form discharging their duties.
Dipeolu who also urged them to avoid championing smear campaigns and rumor mongering against the tribunal members explained that the tribunal is in possession of 25 petitions.
The petitions according to the Tribunal Chairman included two senatorial petitions, six House of Representatives petitions and 17 House of Assembly petitions, assuring that the panel would dispense
of them within the stipulated 180 days to avoid lapse of any of the petitions.
“Disposing of these cases does not depend on the tribunal alone but more on the lawyers. In view of the limited time within which to dispose of the cases before us, sitting outside the official hours on Saturdays and public holidays will not be unusual.”post by expdonaloaded.blogspot.com..“I therefore, implore lawyers involved in election petition cases to co-operate with the tribunal as delay in any form or manner will not be tolerated”, the tribunal chairman warned.
The Election Petition Tribunal is expected to proceed with Pre- hearing sessions or start dismissing cases deemed abandoned by the petitioners or enter judgment for respondents in accordance with  paragraph 18(4) and (3) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2015 ( as amended) on 18th May, 2015.
Speaking on behalf of the lawyers, Sabestian Hon, SAN expressed great confidence in the panel and promised that they would do their best to make their work less laborious as well as cooperate with the administrative staff to ensure success of the panel.