Senior lawyers have raised alarm over the poor state of the venue for sitting of the Governorship, National, and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Calabar, Cross River State, South-South Nigeria.
The lawyers who spoke with Journalists about the situation called on the President of the Court of Appeal, and the Federal and Cross River State Governments to look into the situation as a matter of urgency.
Speaking with Journalists in Calabar shortly after the inaugural sitting, Muritala Abdulrasheed, SAN, and Alphonsus Eba, said the unconducive environment will not enable them to present and defend their cases effectively.
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The lawyers complained of broken seats, tables, and ceiling fans in the courtrooms as well as a busy and overgrown compound with grasses that can host dangerous reptiles.
On his part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Calabar Branch, Attah Ochinke, said he will make a case for either moving the Tribunal out of the present location or replacing all the dilapidated facilities.
The Justice Muhammed Sambo-led Tribunal had announced that the panel has before it 29 petitions, 26 of which are for National and State Houses of Assembly, while the remaining three are for the Governorship election in the state.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
