by Nurat Uthman
The Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, on Thursday swore in two sets of local government election petition tribunals ahead of the upcoming local government election in the state.
Each tribunal consists of three members, with two chairmen across the two sets.
During the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Judge urged the panel members to expedite their handling of election cases, highlighting the unique nature of election petitions in terms of public policy.
He stated, “It is a requirement of the rule of law and part of the mechanism of the democratic process that after any election, there should be an election tribunal to ventilate and determine disputes that may arise from such an election.
The institution of an election tribunal has always helped to assuage anxieties and calm frayed nerves
Justice Adebara expressed his confidence in the integrity and competence of the officers selected to serve on the tribunal, adding that they are expected to carry out their duties impartially.
He also addressed the absence of members of the Bar in the tribunals, assuring that they would be included in future selections.
The Chief Judge also said that he and the state’s Grand Kadi are satisfied that the officers of the state judiciary that were selected to serve on the Tribunal are officers of proven integrity and competence.
“I am, therefore, confident that they will discharge their onerous responsibility without fear or favour, affection or ill wilI”.
Justice Adebara, who said that non- inclusion of members of the Bar was not a slight on them, said that they would be accommodated in the future.
He said, “I wish, therefore, to enjoin all members of the Bar appearing before the Tribunal to make excellence their watchword.
They should not forget that they are fellow ministers in the Temple of justice with the Chairman and members of the tribunal.
It is my hope that every counsel appearing before the Tribunal will behave in the best tradition of our great and noble profession”.
The Chief Judge also announced that an Election Registry has already been established in the High Court Complex.
Responding on behalf of others, Chief Magistrate Jibril Bio Salihu, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the state judiciary and both the Chief Judge and the Grand Kadi, on their selection, pledging that they would not disappoint on the task given.
