Juliet Buna
The Tribunal responsible for adjudicating the presidential election has declined a petition to broadcast its proceedings in real-time.
The application was deemed to be without merit by a court panel consisting of five members, with Haruna Tsammani serving as the lead.
Premium Politics reported that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar made this request on May 7.
The former vice-president had statef that televising the proceedings will enhance public confidence
However in a unanimous ruling on the interlocutory applications, the five-member panel of justices held that the request hinges on policy decision which can only be made by the judiciary.
In the lead ruling by the chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani held that the applications lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.
The chairman observed that the applications, which were based on sections 36(3) and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and paragraph 19 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022, which deals with fair hearing, fell outside the provisions of the concept and the petitioners’ claims for the court’s determination.
He stated that a fair hearing entailed hearing both parties and giving them equal opportunity to submit their cases before the court, as well as not dramatising the trial by installing cameras in the courtroom.
“The mere sentimental claim that it (live broadcast of proceedings) will benefit the voters has no utilitarian value on the matters before the court,” he said.
