No Judicial Recklessness, CJN Warns Election Petition Tribunal Members

By Ayodele Oni

The judiciary and other stakeholders in 2023 general elections are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success.

The Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Monday, swore in members of the Election Petition Tribunal that will hear disputes arising from the general elections.

The event took place at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, the country’s political capital.

Administering the oath of office on the members of the Tribunal, the CJN urged the judicial officers not to treat their assignments with levity, warning that he will not tolerate any form of judicial recklessness.

The exercise kicked off a four-day capacity workshop for the Justices and members of the Tribunal which will end on Thursday.

In other to forestall conflicting rulings by the Tribunals, the Appeal Court compiled a case management system, which is a document that will serve as an additional guide.

Also in attendance at the event were the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu; as well as Justices of the Court of Appeal.

Justice Dongban-Mensem admonished members of the Tribunal to be firm and law-abiding in the discharge of their duties, nothing that by the nature of their assignments, they will be exposed to temptations, but they must be in total control of their thoughts.