By Faith Awa Maji, Katsina
Katsina State Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar on Tuesday inaugurated the State’s Local Government election petition tribunal, comprising three chairmen and six members.
The event held at the State’s High Court Auditorium, Katsina.
In his address at the swearing in ceremony, Justice Musa Abubakar said the overriding objective of every Judicial System is to deliver justice, which is the pivot and pillar that upholds the very best of decency and the best guarantee for peace, prosperity and good governance.
According to him, “Though the justice delivery system we operate is bedeviled with the problem of delays and prolonged adjournments, the Election Petition Tribunal is a specialized court with set of procedure, rules, and practice directions to ensure speedy determination of all petitions.
“The third schedule to the Local Government Councils Election Law No. 4 of 2002, has specifically provided for the procedure of filing, hearing and determination of petitions. The Practice Directions No. 1 of 2022 dated 7th day of April 2022 issued has made further provisions incorporating electronic evidence, the option to adopt A.D.R. and abridged service of processes, all aimed at expeditious determination of the petitions.”
He said by the provisions of the Local Government Councils Election Law No. 4 of 2002 of Katsina State, it is mandatory for the first instance tribunal to hear and determine all petitions within 90 days from the date of filing.
Katsina State Chief Judge noted that the three Tribunals were established for the 3 Senatorial Zones of the State to ensure expeditious and timely disposition of all petitions brought before it, as each Tribunal is comprising a Chairman and two members who have just been sworn-in.
The CJ therefore urged them to be committed to ensure compliance with the law, adding that they must equally stand firm and avoid acts and conduct that would portray them as being biased.
He further stressed that there is no doubt that political cases are prone to pressures, saying they must therefore resist all forms of temptations and undue influences from any quarters.
He warned that appropriate disciplinary sanctions will be employed in case of any form of judicial misconduct in the course of their assignment.
