A yet-to- be named Nigerian Lawyer has, allegedly, set his Wig on fire in protest against the judgement delivered delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
Both the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and that of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, petitioned the PEPT to challenge the declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, now President Bola Tinubu, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as winner of the Presidential election.
Along with their Political Parties, they presented what they thought was a watertight case where they raised a number of issues including alleged forgeries, and ineligibility to run for office and mass rigging against the President.
But on Wednesday, the five Judges on the Panel, unanimously, dismissed all the issues raised and affirmed Tinubu as duly elected.
In protest against the judgement, the Lawyer, allegedly, took his Wig, sprinkled some liquid thought to be either petrol or kerosene on it, and set it ablaze. He said he was ashamed of the judgement and ashamed of the Judiciary. It is not known if he intends to still practice as a Lawyer or opt for another career.
This story has not been independently confirmed by the magazine. But a very senior Lawyer told this magazine that the action of the Lawyer, if confirmed, “is not only unprecedented but stupid.” He added that if identified, he could face disciplinary action which may result in serious consequences for him.
The LP has rejected the verdict. And so will the PDP which candidate is scheduled to address a Press Conference on September 7.
However, it is not yet known if the Candidates and their Parties would head to the Supreme Court or not. President Tinubu has asked them to give up, and hailed them as his “valiant challengers”.
