Delta Chief Judge Inaugurates Election Petition Tribunals For Council Polls

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Delta state chief judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro has inaugurated the Election Petition Tribunals and Local Government Council Election Petition Appeal Tribunal to hear and determine petitions that may arise from the January, 6, 2018 council polls with a charge on the members to deliver judgements strictly based on Law and facts that is devoid of any extraneous considerations.

Inaugurating the 18 member Election Petition Tribunals and the three Judges who shall sit on appeal in Asaba, Justice Umukoro while reminding the members of section 130(2) and 130(3) of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2017, tasked the members of the Election Tribunals to deliver judgement in writing within the stipulated 180 days period from the date of filing of the petition, while Appeal Tribunal shall do same within 90 days from the date of delivery of judgement of the Tribunal.

The Chief Judge however attributed their appointment to their antecedents anchored on hard work, honesty and diligence, emphasising that they should not perform below expectations as Deltans, particularly petitioners and respondents, were looking up to them to deliver judgements according to evidence and law placed before them.

Justice Umukoro enjoined members to remain focus and not to be distracted by acts of blackmailers, rumour mongers, and hate speech merchants and a section of social media who review evidence and deliver judgement in consonance with the figments of their imagination, warning that appropriate disciplinary measures and sanctions shall be imposed on any member who breached the subscribed oath of office in the face of verified complaints and petitions.

Responding on behalf of members of the Tribunals, Justice D. C Maidoh thanked the Chief Judge for deeming them fit for the onerous task with a promise to justify the confidence reposed in them and to handle petitions brought before them on the merit irrespective of the parties involved.

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