Court Of Appeal Accused Of Undermining Kogi Guber Tribunal’s Authority

Court Of Appeal Accused Of Undermining Kogi Guber Tribunal’s Authority

In a startling revelation, the Northern Initiative for the Defence of Democracy and Justice, a civil society organization, has raised serious concerns over what it perceives as a usurpation of authority by the Court of Appeal in the ongoing Kogi State Governorship Petition Tribunal proceedings.

Addressing the media in Abuja on Monday, the group’s Coordinator, Nureeddeen Sadiq, expressed profound dismay at the recent actions of the Court of Appeal, alleging interference in the jurisdiction of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which poses a dire threat to the integrity of the judiciary and the nation as a whole.

“The recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, attempting to revise and overrule the earlier directives of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, is deeply troubling,” remarked Sadiq during the press conference.

He highlighted the tribunal’s earlier ruling, which mandated all involved parties to collectively inspect the electoral materials utilized during the November 11, 2023 governorship election, emphasizing its significance in determining the authenticity of claims and counter-claims before the tribunal.

Sadiq expressed astonishment at what he deemed as unwarranted interference by the Court of Appeal, which he asserted is unprecedented and threatens the tribunal’s ability to fulfill its mandate.

“The tribunal, being a primary fact-finding body, possesses the authority to issue directives and orders concerning its proceedings to ensure the fulfillment of its duties,” he reiterated, underscoring the tribunal’s legitimacy and autonomy in conducting its affairs.

The group recounted the sequence of events leading to the dispute, detailing how the tribunal’s orders for inspection were duly communicated to the concerned parties, including Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and subsequent efforts to facilitate compliance.

However, despite the tribunal’s adherence to due process, Ododo contested the validity of the inspection orders, prompting a legal battle that eventually reached the Court of Appeal.

Sadiq lamented the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the tribunal’s orders without proper grounds, emphasizing that the granted orders were never sought in the initial motions filed.

“The Court of Appeal’s intervention, particularly in setting aside the tribunal’s orders without adequate justification, sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the tribunal’s authority,” concluded Sadiq, urging for a reconsideration of the appellate court’s ruling to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process in Kogi State.