A’Ibom PDP tackles Appeal panel over delayed judgment

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

The People’s Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State has slammed the Court of Appeal panel in Calabar for delaying judgment in the National appeal cases brought before it.

Spokesperson of the PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong in a press conference Thursday said the party was uncomfortable with the decision of the appellate court to adjourn judgment after conclusion of hearings and adoption of briefs by parties.

Bassey Etim and Hon Emmanuel Ukoette of the All Progressives Congress had filed appeals challenging the tribunal verdict in favour of Senator Bassey Albert and Unyime Idem of the People’s Democratic Party.

Judgement on the matters was slated for Tuesday but later adjourned without explanation.

Ememobong said it was a trite in law adding that it was obligatory for the court to deliver judgment on the matter after adoption of briefs, except for exceptional cases which both parties must be informed.

He invited the International Community, the National Judicial Council and the Civil Society groups to intervene in the matter

“As a party and defendant in these matters, we find this situation very awkward and therefore invite the attention of the international community, the National Judicial Council, Chief Justice of Nigeria, civil society groups to the existing anomaly as regards these cases.

“It is trite in law that after the adoption of briefs by parties and a court adjourns for judgment.

“On the next adjourned date, it is obligatory for the court to deliver judgment on the matter, except where things arise that make it impossible for the judgment to be delivered.

“In such exceptional cases, all the parties must be informed of such supervening circumstances. In the instant case, there was no explanation whatsoever and till date, no explanation for the inability of the court to deliver judgment on these cases

Ememobong said the party was alarmed by the sudden celebration in social media by the APC media chiefs, whom he said have started rejoicing for securing a change in the panel and that the new panel would deliver judgment in their favour

He said “We are therefore very suspicious of this newfound jubilant mood which as conveyed by the opposition APC, is predicated on their report of a new panel by the court of Appeal whose mandate is to deliver judgment in favour of the APC.

“We need not emphasise that elections in the affected constituencies were won fair and square by Obong Bassey Albert, and Hon. Unyime Idems with APC candidates trailing miserably far behind.

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“The Court of Appeal being a creation of law to protect and uphold the Democratic governance cannot become a vehicle for the subjugation of popular will freely manifest through the ballot.

“While our party and our candidates, who have transited into government functionaries are peace loving and law abiding citizens, we advise the various authorities adjudicating on election matters not to mistake our civility and respect for the rule of law, for ignorance or
cowardice.

“We therefore demand that the judgement in the cases of Senator Bassey Albert, Hon. Unyime Idem and all other cases due for judgement be delivered without any further delay.

“We urge the noble Justices of the Court of Appeal to do justice according to law and deliver justice, conscious that it is a sacred duty, which they took an oath to perform. They must do justice though the heavens fall (in our experience, we’ve noticed that the heavens have never fallen when justice is done).

“They should shun those who threaten them with victimization and lure them with speedy elevation to the apex bench. They should be circumspect of political turncoats and opportunists masquerading as statesmen and federal agents, who promise them favour that can rob
the judiciary of its nobility.

“The Justices must remember their sacred roles as ministers in the temple of justice and avoid the shame that their compromise can bring to their name and the noble profession. They must realise that what money cannot do, more money will not do. Integrity cannot be bought
with money, no matter the amount,” he said.