Reactions have continued to trail the call for the live telecast of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, SAN....CONTINUE READING
This is as Nigerians and the international community prepare for the fireworks set to take place at the PEPT over the conduct and outcome of the 2023 Presidential Elections…..CONTINUE READING
The NBA President who used the opportunity of the recently concluded NBA National Executive Council meeting in Kebbi State to anchor his call for the live telecast on the constitutional right of the public to access judicial proceedings and the promotion of transparency and public confidence in the judiciary. NBA NEC agreed with Maikyau, SAN, that providing public access to the proceedings would meet the aspirations of the public to participate in the process.
Reacting to the NBA President’s call, Legal Practitioners from across the country have shared their thoughts and opinions.
Notable Human Rights Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN reiterated Mr. Maikyau’s position and called on relevant authorities to execute the televised proceedings to further enhance judicial credibility.
“It is in the interest of our judges, and the public. And again, it enhances the credibility of the judiciary,” Falana added.
Similarly, a former Benue State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Alex Ter Adum weighed in and noted that “even in the UK, where we received our common law, live telecast of sensitive judicial proceedings is allowed. To that extent, I wholeheartedly identify and associate myself with the call by the NBA President”
Mr. Maduka Onwukeme, a Tech Lawyer based in Lagos State wondered why the issue of a televised broadcast still being debated. According to him, “I believe it is something the Bar should look at and work on. The televised broadcast of the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal will increase the public confidence in the judiciary. If public confidence in the judiciary is eroded, the Country will descend into a state of anarchy. It is in our collective interest that Nigerians seek to resolve issues legally.”
For Cyber Law Expert and Managing Partner, Velma Solicitors, Mr. David Ashaolu, “Running a live telecast of the election petition proceedings is the best innovation you can think of ever. It is in line with the dictum laid down by the then Lord Chief Justice of England in Rex v. Sussex Justices, that ‘Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done’. The first step towards that is to make people see exactly what is going on what is being said at the tribunal.
Abdulwahab Yusuf, Esq, is of the opinion that the proposed live telecast will be educative for most Nigerians. According to him, many people don’t know what transpires in open court, especially that cases are won on evidence and not what is discussed on social media. The live telecast will educate the majority of citizens who do not have access to attend the tribunal.
Both Mr. Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar filed election petitions challenging the outcome and ‘process’ employed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the 2023 Presidential Elections…..CONTINUE READING
