The legal fireworks over the outcome of February 25 National Assembly and March 18, 2023 House of Assembly elections in Ondo State began yesterday, with the inaugural sitting of the three-man panel constituting the election petition tribunal in the state.
Justice Rose Soji, who led the three-man panel of the tribunal, warned petitioners and their lawyers against meeting with any of them in private, as such would not be tolerated under any guise.
Justice Soji, who was flanked by two other members of the panel, Justice Aliyu Bapa and Justice Frank Onyiri, disclosed that no fewer than 14 petitions were received by the tribunal on the elections in the state.
According to her, election petition is time-bound, hence, the tribunal will not entertain delay tactics that may be deployed by lawyers while filing their processes.
She assured all parties involved in the process that the panel would be fair and unbiased throughout the duration that the tribunal would be sitting.
The panel also warned lawyers against addressing the panel in a dress code not authorised for appearance, as it was emphasised that only black and navy blue dress codes would be allowed.
“We crave the indulgence and cooperation of everyone so that we can finish on time. We have received 14 election petitions.
“We will hear you and decide according to the law. We are not here for any party or petitioner. No lawyer or litigant should see us in private. We will not tolerate that, and we will finish well.
“We will not allow any private talk with members of the panel, everything should be made public.”
Responding on behalf of lawyers present during the inaugural sitting, Olajide Ajana assured the panel that the processes would be smooth and unhindered.
He added that the tribunal would be given all the seriousness it deserved all through its sitting.
