The Kwara Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara, on Thursday swore in two sets of members of local government election petitions tribunal ahead of the forthcoming elections in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election petition tribunal has three members each in the two sets, with two chairmen.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony in Ilorin, the Chief Judge charged the tribunal members to deal with election cases speedily.
He said that election petitions are by their nature peculiar from the point of view of public policy.
“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,” Adebara said.
The Chief Judge also said he and the state’s Grand Khadi were satisfied with the officers of the state judiciary who were selected to serve on the tribunal.
He added that they were officers with proven integrity and competence.
“I am, therefore, confident that they will discharge their onerous responsibility without fear or favour, affection or ill will.”
Justice Adebara, who stated that the non-inclusion of members of the Bar was not a slight on them, assured that they would be accommodated in the future.
“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,” he said.
The Chief Judge also disclosed that an Election Registry has already been established in the High Court Complex.
Responding on behalf of other tribunal members, Chief Magistrate Jibril Bio Salihu, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the state judiciary.
She also appreciated both the Chief Judge and the Grand Khadi on their selection, pledging that they would not disappoint on the task given to them.
NAN a reports that the local government elections in the state are slated to hold on Sept. 21.(NAN).
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