Atiku pressures tribunal to allow live broadcast in the public interest
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Both Atiku Abubakar and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have applied to the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) to allow live broadcast of the hearing of the petitions against the election of President-elect Bola Tinubu.
A motion filed by Atiku’s legal team, led by Chris Uche, SAN, applied for “an order directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of media practitioners and their equipment into the courtroom.”
Atiku said the petition is a matter of national concern and public interest.
He argued the case involves citizens and voters in the 36 states of the federation who participated in the presidential vote on February 25, adding the international community is also interested in the electoral process in Africa’s most populous nation the world’s second largest presidential democracy after the United States.
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Importance of media coverage
The PUNCH reports the motion also contends that:
“With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing and electronic filing, a departure from the rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this court, and will enhance public confidence.”
Atiku also urged the court to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Tinubu by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the decision to declare Tinubu winner of the election is “invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.”
But in reply, Tinubu, through his legal team led by Wole Olanipekun, SAN, questioned the legal competence of petitions seeking to invalidate his victory.