The National and House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal (Panel 1) sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, says 30 petitions have been brought before it.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammed B.Wakili, made this known during the inaugural sitting of the tribunal at High Court 2, Umuahia, on Wednesday.

Wakili said this indicates the enormity of work before the three-man panel and warned that the Panel would not brook any time wasting tricks, pointing out that the tribunals, including the Appeal Tribunals, have 180 days to dispose of all election petitions.

In outlining how the tribunal wishes to save time, Wakili said: “We wish to emphasise here that all interlocutory applications/objections, would be considered at the final decision of the Tribunal, in the matter.”

For a conducive operational atmosphere, he enjoined Counsel appearing before the Panel to abide by the ethics of the profession, do away with unnecessary applications for adjournments and refrain from making uncomplimentary comments or frivolous petitions against the Panel.

He promised that the Tribunal would dispense justice without fear or favour.

“We must, therefore, uphold the stability of this democracy by stamping the hallmark of legality on conduct of our nation’s elections, as it is through our eyes that justice perceives a wrong that must be righted,” he added.

He also advised parties before the Panel to equally “explore means to settle their matters out of court, through the Alternative Dispute Resolution,” to enable the parties to maintain good relationship and peace in their various communities and the state at large.

Responding on behalf of the Bar, Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, Aba branch, Chigozie Ognuji, and Solicitor-General of Abia State, Chief Enyinnaya Okezie, assured the panel of their cooperation.

Other members of the panel are Justice P.I. Ajoku and Justice A.E. Adesodun.