Threat: Group Wants Election Tribunals in South-east to Deliver Judgement Electronically

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Coalition Against Terrorism has called on the Chief Justice of the federation, Kayode Ariwoola, to direct all election petition tribunals sitting in South-east to deliver their judgement electronically.

The National Coordinator of the group, Terrence Kuanum, made the call while addressing a press conference on Monday in Abuja.

He said the call became imperative following  information at its disposal which indicated that the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminal elements are preparing to cause chaos and unrest if the judgement does not favour their interests.

The group said it was no longer news that the governorship election tribunal in Kano was under threat by some elements which led to the delivery of the judgment through electronic means.

It added that it was also aware of several threats to life and property in the South-east over the activities of the IPOB and the unknown gunmen which had resulted in so many loss of lives and property.

The group stressed that in the last 10 years, it has also witnessed massive destruction of police stations, adding that police personnel no longer go to work because their lives are consistently under threat.

It said  prison facilities have not also been spared by the activities of IPOB while markets have been severely closed in the South -east at the directive of the outlawed group.

It stated: “For us, it is therefore an issue of concern that our judicial personnel who are assigned to carry out the patriotic duty at the various election tribunals across the South-east might come under threat considering the activities of the terrorists within the region.

“We therefore, request that the Chief Justice of the Federation immediately directs all tribunal judgments in the South-east to deliver their judgements through electronic means to save the judges involved in this patriotic assignment from coming under threat or even losing their lives.

“Further risking the life of these judges will bring their rulings to disrepute knowing so well that they are under threat and might have delivered their judgment under duress to save their lives.”

The coalition therefore, urged the leadership of the judiciary to immediately direct the delivery of the judgment of Abia state election tribunal through electronic means and also evacuate all its staff from Abia state to restore the integrity of the judicial institution.