By James Samuel,Ilorin
The Kwara state Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara has swore in two sets of local government election petition tribunals for the forthcoming local government election in the state.
The swearing-in ceremony which was held on Thursday consists of three members, with two chairmen across the two sets.
Justice Adebara during the ceremony urged the panel members to expedite their handling of election cases while emphasizing the unique nature of election petitions in terms of public policy.
“It is a requirement of the rule of law and part of the mechanism of the democratic process that after any election, there should be an election tribunal to ventilate and determine disputes that may arise from such an election.
“The institution of an election tribunal has always helped to assuage anxieties and calm frayed nerves, he said.
He then expressed his confidence in the integrity and competence of the officers selected to serve on the tribunal, adding that they are expected to discharge their duties without being partial.
The Chief judge also addressed the absence of members of the Bar in the tribunals, assuring that they would be included in future selections.
He added that he and the state’s Grand Kadi are satisfied that the officers of the state judiciary that were selected to serve on the Tribunal are officers of proven integrity and competence.
“I am, therefore, confident that they will discharge their onerous responsibility without fear or favour, affection or ill wilI”.
Justice Adebara, who said that non- inclusion of members of the Bar was not a slight on them, said that they would be accommodated in the future.
“I wish, therefore, to enjoin all members of the Bar appearing before the Tribunal to make excellence their watchword, he said.
They should not forget that they are fellow ministers in the Temple of justice with the Chairman and members of the tribunal.
It is my hope that every counsel appearing before the Tribunal will behave in the best tradition of our great and noble profession”.
Chief Judge Adebara further announced that an Election Registry has already been established in the High Court Complex.
In his responding on behalf of others, Chief Magistrate Jibril Bio Salihu, expressed his delighted and appreciation to the state judiciary and both the Chief Judge and the Grand Kadi, on their selection, assured that they would not disappoint on the task bestows on them.
