Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
On Wednesday, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammadu Saidu Sifawa, swore in three sets of election petition tribunals to hear disputes that may arise from the recently conducted local government election in the state.
Each of the three sets of the tribunal panel consists of a three-man panel, comprising a chairman and two other members.
The first tribunal panel according to the CJ will hear petitions from Sokoto East, the second panel will receive petitions from Sokoto Central, and the third set of the Tribunal panel will look into election petitions from Sokoto North Senatorial District.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the tribunal members held at the Conference Room of the State High Court, Justice Sifawa charged panel members to deal with the election cases speedily.
“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,” he said.
The Chief Judge also said he was satisfied with the officers selected to serve on the tribunal, as they were men of proven integrity and competence.
“I am, therefore, confident that they will discharge their onerous responsibility without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” he said.
Justice Sifawa further said the non-inclusion of members of the Bar was not a slight, and 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.
“I hope that every counsel appearing before the tribunal will behave in the best tradition of our great and noble profession,” he said.
He announced that an election registry had been established in the High Court complex.
Justice Sifawa also urged the members to uphold the ethics of the legal profession, diligence, and integrity.
“You should remember that your assignment is a special one and an enormous responsibility is not only to the Sokoto state but to the entire nation.
“That is why only persons of proven integrity who are known for professional conduct are chosen for these assignments.
“So this assignment will put your conscience to the test. I am confident that, you will discharge your responsibility without fear or favour,” he further charged them.
Justice Sifawa also reminded them that, the assignment was time-bound, urging them to treat the matters brought to them with speed and diligence.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inauguration, the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Nasiru Mohammed Binji said the tribunals were part of the requirement of laws after every election.
“This is the requirement of the law. It mandates the Chief Judge to inaugurate tribunals which will listen and determine petitions that may arise from the local government elections,” he said
