Bayelsa State GovernorShip Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed a motion filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC and its candidate, Timipre Sylva challenging the jurisdiction of the panel members from hearing their petition against the election of Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The three-member panel led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye dismissed the motion following a letter dated March 5, 2024 from the President of the Court of Appeal.
The Tribunal dismissed the motion after taking arguments from counsel for the APC Governorship candidate, Tunde Falola and those of all the respondents in the petition following a March 5 letter from the President of the Court of Appeal which mandated it to proceed with hearing of the petition irrespective of any application.
Falola had declared that his client filed a fresh application against the Tribunal members on the ground that the two petitioners are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that they cannot get justice from the panel, but the President’s letter has overtaken the request from the petitioners.
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The two petitioners further stated that the Tribunal had exhibited strange circumstances that made them believe they are going to be denied fair hearing therefore asked members of the panel in the interest of justice to recuse themselves and be reconstituted.
However, counsel for Diri and other respondents opposed the application on the ground that it is an attempt to blackmail the Tribunal members to do their biddings. They held that APC and Silva were part of the pre-hearing session and that they subscribed to the schedule of time as agreed upon by all parties.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal had fixed March 13 and 14 for INEC to open and close its defence.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
