Barring any last-minute changes, the Supreme Court panel will be comprised of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and will hear the appeal stemming from the Presidential Election Petitions Court’s decision by Wednesday.
The PEPC rendered a 12-hour judgement on the appeals stemming from the February 25, 2023 presidential election on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, upholding the election of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, presidential contenders for the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, respectively, rejected the court’s decision, promising to appeal to the Supreme Court.
They have 14 days from the date of the judgement to file an appeal with the Supreme Court.
That 14-day period will come to an end on Wednesday.
While their legal teams labour tirelessly to meet the deadline, a Saturday PUNCH investigation at the Supreme Court on Friday found that Ariwoola had failed to form the panel of the supreme court that will hear the appeals.
Further inquiry, however, found that the CJN will form the panel no later than Wednesday, when the deadline for filing appeals expires.
According to many sources within the Supreme Court, the identity of the Justices who may be named members of the panel are also unknown.
“There is no information about the panel or the justices who would make up the panel for the time being,” one court source said. What we do know is that members of the panel may be selected this week, by Wednesday at the latest.”
Saturday On Friday, PUNCH learned that Obi’s legal team may submit an appeal on Tuesday.
Our sources have learned that the presidential contender has no plans to replace the members of his legal team.
Yunusa Tanko, spokesman for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, and Kehinde Edun, LP’s National Legal Adviser, both revealed this in separate interviews with PUNCH.
“I just confirmed that the appeal has not been filed.” That will be completed by Tuesday. We are also not looking to hire or restructure our legal team,” Tanko informed one of our reporters over the phone.
In agreement with Tanko, the party’s legal adviser stated, “We have not yet filed the appeal because we are still within the time frame.” It will be completed at any time.
Our sources have learned that the presidential contender has no plans to replace the members of his legal team.
“To answer your second question, our legal staff is intact. They are among of our most capable workers. We see no reason to change them because we have faith in their talents.”
When reached, Obi’s principal counsel, Dr Livy Uzoukwu, confirmed that the legal team was still working on the appeal, saying, “We are on it.” We have not set a deadline for submission.”
Mike Ozekhome, SAN, a member of Atiku’s legal team, also stated, “We are filing the appeal as soon as possible, within the constitutional and statutory period.” All of the lawyers have been retained. Our squad is as strong as the Rock of Gibraltar.”
Chris Uche, SAN, the ex-vice president’s principal attorney, could not be reached for comment on Friday since calls and texts to his line were not returned.
PDP NEC member on CJN
Meanwhile, Timothy Osadolor, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, has encouraged the CJN not to serve on the Supreme Court panel that would review the PEPC judgement.
Osadolor made the statement in response to a previous statement attributed to the CJN praising Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s membership in the G-5, a group made up of several disgruntled governors opposed to Iyorchia Ayu’s leadership of the PDP after Atiku emerged as the party’s nominee.
In November 2022, as a special guest of the Rivers State Government in Port Harcourt at a banquet honouring the then Governor, Nyesom Wike, Justice Ariwoola hailed Makinde’s membership in the G-5, a development that was attacked at the time by the PDP’s National Working Committee.
“That is why we should not be afraid to have these men of integrity.” I’m glad my Governor (Makinde) is among them because he’d try to copy his friend and in-law because we came here to marry for my Governor.
“As a result, Governor Wike will always threaten to call back his sister if my Governor fails to play ball.” “That is why you see him following His Excellency (Wike), because my Governor is afraid that his wife will be recalled,” the CJN stated in 2022.
“I would expect the CJN, after the gaffe wherein he exposed his partisan self with his declaration of support for the then G-5 when he got too excited, to recuse himself from any panel that is constituted for political reasons, particularly one as sensitive and important as the one to look into the PEPC judgement, which is contentious and vexatious for a variety of reasons,” Osadolor said exclusively to Saturday PUNCH.
“He should not do anything to further tarnish the image of our judiciary.” The entire world is watching, and he, of all people, should understand that his presence on the panel would raise multiple questions.”
