NewsRescue
by Inibehe Effiong,
The Supreme Court Has Not Delivered Judgment On The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Appeal Cases.
There have been malicious insinuations on the social media and some mushroom blogs by some mischievous elements that the Supreme Court of Nigeria today delivered judgment on the Akwa Ibom State governorship election appeal cases.
Ordinarily, such contemptuous insinuations should not be dignified with a response. However, one is tempted to put the records straight owing to enquiries made by unsuspecting members of the public on the true state of the case before the Supreme Court.
The true facts of the case currently are as follows:
1. The Appellants before the Supreme Court only filed their briefs of argument last Friday, 15th January, 2016.
2. As at Monday, 18th January, 2016, the Respondents have not been served with the briefs.
3. The Supreme Court can only hear the appeals after both parties have filed their briefs of argument. After which a date will be slated for judgment.
4. By the provisions of Section 285 (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Supreme Court has 60 days from the date of the judgment of the Court of Appeal to deliver its judgment in writing.
5. The Court of Appeal delivered judgment on the Akwa Ibom State governorship election appeal cases on the 18th of December, 2015.
6. The Supreme Court still have about 29 days from today to deliver judgment in the appeals brought before it.
7. The Chief of Justice of Nigeria to our knowledge has not yet constituted a panel to hear the Akwa Ibom State governorship election appeal cases before the Supreme Court.
We understand the desperation of riggers of election. In the end, the truth will be upheld and the enemies of democracy and free and fair elections will be shamed.
This was a so-called election that was condemned as a SHAM by independent observers including; the United States Embassy, the European Union, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and even the Nigeria Police Force.
The world cannot be wrong.
Our faith in the Nigerian Judiciary is unshakable.
Inibehe Effiong Esq.
