Anambra Tribunal, which resumed its sitting in Awka yesterday with the inauguration of a three-man panel led by Joseph Ananabo, warned that the panel would not tolerate any attempt by politicians to sway to panel into perverting the course of justice.

To this end, petitioners and respondents involved in the state and national assembly petitions in the state have been advised that it is only the quality of evidence before the tribunal and the constitution that would determine the judgements for and against them.

Disclosing this at the inaugural sitting of the tribunal taking place at the state judiciary complex, the chairman of the panel, Justice Joseph Ananabo, stressed that elections are very serious matters that cannot be treated with levity saying that any attempt to sway them one way or the other will not work.

He said: “It is the quality of the evidence before the court and what the constitution says that would determine who is the winner or loser.

“We shall discharge our duties in line with the constitution and the law. The tribunal is set up to ensure that those who actual won the election are those that the people elected to represent them.”

Speaking on behalf of Anambra Forum of Chairmen of Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA), the Awka branch chairman, Bar. Uba Anene promised that the bar will co-operate with the panel to ensure that all matters are discharged effectively.

“You shall have cause to rejoice at the end of your stay in Awka,” Anene said.

Also, the former Commissioner for Justice in the state and the most Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who was present at the occasion, Mr. Nnoruka Udechukwu (SAN), explained that going by the antecedents of Anambra Tribunal in Awka, the panel would have every reason to be worried due to gray areas that often come up in the legal process

He, however, assured that there would be no reason for the panel to be worried due to the gray areas that often come up in the legal process assuring that they will continue to improve in their civility without any compromise.

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