Justice Aisha Bashir, Chief Judge of Nasarawa State has inaugurated four election petition tribunals to scrutinise the dispute that may arise in the Oct. 6, Local Government elections.
Inaugurating the tribunals on Wednesday in Lafia, Bashir urged the tribunals to leave above board and to resist any temptation in their best interest.
She also inaugurated another tribunal to handle appeals that might arise from the hearing.
The chief judge warned that any of them caught indulging in corruption to suppress justice would be disciplined.
“The judiciary in the state has recently sanctioned some senior staff for misconduct and will still not hesitate to sanction any of you caught in the acts.
“We have zero tolerance for any form of corruption and all of you must always leave above board.
“I cannot emphasise this enough because election petitions is notorious for destroying the carrier of so many judges, therefore, do not fall onto the temptation,” she noted.
The chief judge further said that tribunal cases are time bound therefore; they must hold sitting daily to conclude all petitions within 180 days.
“You have only 180 days to finish election petition from the time petitions were file to judgments and you must deliver in line with the relevant law,” she said.
Bashir promised to prioritise the welfare of all members of the tribunals to guard against exposing them to any corrupt tendencies.
She added that management of the state judiciary would also upgrade facilities in all the court rooms to be used as tribunals and appeal tribunal.
She, however, promised to organise a one-day retreat for the tribunal members to familiarise with the state law as amended.
Responding on behalf of the tribunal members, Mr Isiaka Usman, Chairman, Appeal Tribunal, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them and promised to discharge their assignment without fear or favour.
(NAN)