Zamfara election tribunal promises access to information

Posted by admin Headlines, State News, Zamfara Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

The chairman of the gubernatorial election tribunal in Zamfara State, Justice Kashim Kaigama, has promised to grant journalists access to court proceedings and records, in the spirit of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.

He made this known during the inaugural sitting of the tribunal in Gusau, on Monday.

The chairman, who was leading two other members, Justice Effiong Ikpeme and Justice Henry Aja-Onu, disclosed that, “the secretary of the tribunal will always be available to clarify or explain any issue that you (press) want to know.”

According to him, “what we expect from you (press) is to abide by your code of ethics, by reporting the proceedings fairly and accordingly.”

Meanwhile, during the tribunal sittings which started at 10:45a.m., the lead counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was challenging the victory of the governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, Chief Kunle Kalejaye (SAN), filed an application, asking the tribunal to allow it to have access to all the electoral materials used in the gubernatorial election held on Tuesday, April 26.

However, counsel to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Garba Gajam in his submission told the tribunal that they have no objection with the PDP’s request but they were asking the tribunal to let them be around when the PDP are inspecting the electoral materials.

In his ruling, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Kaigama granted the request of the applicant (PDP) and also ruled that the inspection will be carried out in INEC head quarters in Gusau in the presence of all parties involved.

It would be recalled immediately after the governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed a petition before the state governorship election tribunal challenging the victory of the state governor who won under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

The PDP were challenging the result of the following local governments Gusau, Maru, Bungudu, Tsafe, Bakura and Gummi.

-Tribunewp_posts