Boko Haram: Tribunal adjourns indefinitely

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Latest Politics Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

The Election Petitions Tribunal for the April National Assembly election in Borno State has adjourned its sitting indefinitely following the worsening security situation in the state. The tribunal, which ought to begin the hearing of petitions filed before it this week suddenly resolved to adjourn indefinitely.

Counsel to the parties in the petitions had waited in the courtroom for about three hours for the tribunal members without explanation from the tribunal administrative secretary. They were, however, summoned later to meet the tribunal chairman at his chambers for a parley. The Administrative Secretary of the tribunal, Titus Olalere, who briefed journalists after the parley, said the court adjourned sitting indefinitely to allow it to perform some statutory duties before hearing could commence.

However, a lawyer, who spoke to Daily Sun on condition of anonymity, said the sitting was adjourned “due to the precarious security situation in the state” particularly the shooting of Mr. Peter Adebayo Bello, who was believed to be one of the counsel to the ANPP in the National Assembly petition matter.
A source at the court also said counsel and members of the tribunal had agreed after reviewing the security situation and attempt on the lawyer that the sitting should be adjourned indefinitely until the security situation in the state improves.

It was also observed that security had been beefed up at the state High Court particularly Court 5 where the tribunal currently holds its sitting. Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has appealed to the people of the state to continue to cooperate with security agents in their effort to maintain law and order.

In a release issued and signed by the command Public Relations Officer, ASP Abdullahi Lawal, said the doors for dialogue and constructive criticisms with the state government on the lingering insecurity in the state remains open. He said dialogue was necessary rather than engaging in confrontations.

He disclosed that the recent security equipments donated by the state government was to provide and enhance security measures being taken by the police and was not meant to harm or confront any person or group of persons in the state.
-Sunwp_posts