By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The various petitions that trailed the outcome of the election petition tribunals from states of the federation, alleging that the judges at the State tribunals had been compromised by governors has compelled the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem to move all election court cases to Abuja and Lagos, our correspondent reports.https://sundiatapost.com/court-of-appeal-boss-brings-leagues-of-governors-former-governors-to-plateau/
The petitioners also expressed concerns that they may suffer the same fate if the appeals are to be determined in the various States.
Sources who spoke to our correspondent also revealed that a palpable fear and anxiety that will trail the outcome of the Appeal which might lead to unrest in the various States has also necessitated the relocation of the Appeal matters.
The aggrieved parties also expressed concerns that they may suffer the same fate if the appeals are to be determined in the various states.
The matters that were moved as observed by our reporter are all affected by the Governorship, National and States Assemblies’ Elections, which were held between February and March 2023.
Recall that the appeal from the various State tribunals are supposed to be heard across the 20 appellate courts in the country.https://sundiatapost.com/appeal-court-orders-relocation-of-ebonyi-election-petition-tribunal-to-abuja/
But as it stands now, only two divisions of the court would preside over the election appeals. The Abuja division will handle appeals from the 19 northern States while the 17 southern State’s cases would be heard in Lagos.
“The transfer of the appeals is aimed at guaranteeing the independence, integrity and impartiality of the appellate court.
“Having fewer divisions handle all cases will enable me to effectively oversee the judges”, the Appeal Court President said.
Parties and their counsels are said to be complying with the fresh directive and moving their files to the two cities despite the huge costs, our correspondent gathered.https://sundiatapost.com/you-cant-query-labour-partys-choice-appeal-court-says-at-it-throws-out-apcs-suit-against-obi/
Meanwhile our correspondent have also observed that most political gladiators in various States have shifted their base to Abuja and Lagos with lots of nocturnal meetings going on in the Federal Capital Territory in relation to the upcoming Court of Appeal sittings.
