Justice A. A. Adebara, Chairman of the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Friday warned lawyers against unnecessary delays during trial.
Adebara, who heads the three-man panel, said at the inauguration of the tribunal in Kaduna, that this was in view of the generics nature of the petitions.
“It is therefore our utmost desire that legal practitioners having petitions to prosecute or defend before the Tribunal should remain committed and be up and doing.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Tribunal will not entertain unnecessary delays as the petition will be treated with utmost urgency and dispatch.
“Counsels are therefore reminded to avoid the request for unnecessary adjournment,” Adebara said.
The tribunal chairman also warned parties and counsels against “any untoward act that may stipple the administration of justice.”
He also cautioned against any attempt to influence the tribunal, saying such act would be severely dealt with according to the law.
Adebara further warned that the tribunal would not allow “behind the door communication” with any of its members, stressing that all communications must be done in the open court.
The tribunal chairman appealed to journalists to report its proceedings accurately and eschew sensationalism so as not to run foul of the law.
In a remark, the representative of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr AD Ahmed assured the tribunal of maximum cooperation to ensure its smooth operation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only one petition for the House of Assembly election was filed before the tribunal on May 3.
Other members of the tribunal are Dr Ngozika Okaisabor and Justice Yero Gambo.