Group Urges NJC, Anti-graft Agencies Review Tribunal Judgements

A pro-democracy group, known as Citizens United For Democracy In Nigeria (CUDIN), has called on the National Judicial Council and the anti-graft agencies to review and investigate judgements delivered at the election petitions tribunals across the country.

It particularly picked holes in the judgement of the National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos which nullified the election of Senator Napoleon Bali, Hon. Beni Lar, Hon. Musa Bagos, and Hon Peter Gyendeng – National Assembly members from Plateau State.

The group at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday said investigation would help the judiciary unravel perceived infractions being complained by parties in the judgements.

The CUDIN National Coordinator, Felix Ngutswen, who addressed the press conference, said NJC should not allow the integrity of the judiciary to be compromised by judicial officers.

“We call upon the National Judicial Council and other anti-graft agencies to take immediate action and investigate any suspected judgments thoroughly.

“The integrity of the judiciary must be safeguarded, and all those involved in selling judgments, whether the judges, lawyers, or political actors, must face severe consequences for subverting the democratic process.

“We, as a leading pro-deomocracy organisation in Nigeria, strongly denounces the Election Petition Tribunal’s recent judgment on the highly contested election of the National Assembly in Plateau State on the 25th February, 2023.

“The verdict, underscores a disheartening setback for transparency, justice, and democracy in Nigeria.

“Citizens United for Democracy in Nigeria has meticulously analysed the proceedings of the Election Petition Tribunal in Jos, Plateau State and discovered an alarming series of irregularities. The development is casting serious doubts on the integrity and impartiality of the judgment.

“Our investigation reveals clear indications of political interference, and hidden agenda leading to the alleged compromised decisions where the same Tribunal is giving contradictory judgments on the same issue.

“Democratic principles form the cornerstone of a progressive society, empowering citizens to choose their leaders freely and fairly. Nigeria, as a vibrant and dynamic nation, must embrace the principles of transparency and accountability to cultivate an environment where citizens’ voices are valued and respected.

“The Peoples Democratic Party conducted its primary elections in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which the delegates system was duly followed. The inconsequential issue of qualification that the tribunal is leveraging has been settled up to the Supreme Court.

“Despite the evidence tendered before the Tribunal by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the PDP on the repeat Congresses conducted on the 25th September, 2021 as a result of the court rulings, the Tribunal went ahead to declare that Senator Napoleon Bali, Hon Beni Lar, Hon Musa Bagos, and Hon Peter Gyendeng have been disqualified on the ground of the so-called structural issues,” he stated.