2023 Elections: ‘Accept Outcome of Petition Tribunal‘, Gowon Tells Atiku, Obi, Others

As Jurists, Others,  honour late Supreme Court Justice Idigbe 

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A former Head of State of Nigeria, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) GCFR, on Thursday appealed to Nigerians, including litigants, to accept the final decisions of the courts in respect of the various petitions against the outcome of the just concluded general elections.

Gowon made the appeal while speaking as Guest at the 15th Edition of the PUNUKA Annual Lecture 2023 and Symposium, in honour of the late Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Chike Idigbe.

Out of the 18 candidates that contested the February 25 Presidential election, five, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) have already concluded their processes at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which was billed to commence sitting yesterday. 

Speaking on the role the Judiciary plays in nation building, the former Head of State called for understanding, adding that aggrieved parties should allow the Judiciary perform its constitutional role in the post-election period. 

According to him, for Nigeria’s democracy to grow, the Judiciary must be strong, independent, and impartial.

“As we move forward as a nation, let us not forget the role that the Judiciary plays in nation-building, especially the Apex Court, in carrying out its duty of questioning the veracity of the decisions of the lower court. 

“As such, we need to allow the Apex Court their deliberations and come up with their decisions, and as the public, to be humble to accept their decision as final, in order to maintain the sanctity of the Judiciary as individuals and as an institution. 

“This is very important at this stage, in view of the post-election litigations that are now going on. Let us give the Judiciary the opportunity to do their work, and let us accept their decision as it is”, Gen. Gowon said. 

The Octogenarian stressed, “As a former Military Leader (Head of State), I have seen and known firsthand the importance of the Judiciary in maintaining stability and order in our society”. 

Meanwhile, the retired General who showered encomiums on  late Justice Idigbe, attested to his unwavering dedication to service and bravery in the dispensation of justice, adding that his life and works exemplify his integrity, courage, and judicial brilliance.

“From what I have learnt of Justice Idigbe, his contributions to the Judiciary and nation-building cannot be overemphasised. That his unwavering commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law, is a testament to his unflinching character and his belief in our nation, evinced through his life and office.”

Similarly, Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB), Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, in his praise of the late jurist, described late Idigbe as an accomplished jurist whose name demonstrates values in Nigeria’s Judiciary. Awomolo added that the late jurist was a man of integrity and a deep knowledge of the law, worthy of emulation.

The BoB Vice Chairman subsequently advised jurists to be very conscious and careful of the words they write, as it forms part of their history and could be referred to by others. 

In a goodwill message, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba charged Lawyers to embrace global practices and develop their technological and other relevant skills, for the enhancement of the nation’s development. He said that the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is certain about the nexus between law and development, and believes that law can be used as an instrument to promote economic and social development because economic development involves much more than a country’s adopting the appropriate growth-enhancing policies, but the right application of the rule of law, since the rule of law is a prerequisite to draw foreign investments and boost economic growth.

Mr Agba said: “The memorialisation of Justice Chike Idigbe, JSC, is a worthy addition to remind us of the evergreen legacies of this great patriot and nationalist, whose knowledge and application of the law have helped to promote and entrench progressive legal culture in Nigeria”.

Meanwhile, son of the late jurist, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, eulogising the former Supreme Court Justice, said his father had a focus on substantive justice and had established in many cases, that form should never override substance. 

While on the one hand Chief Idigbe urged that those principles should guide the action of Judges today, he on the other, called for holistic judicial reforms, adding that the same attention given to election petitions should be extended to commercial cases, as they are all critical to the nation’s survival.