A Kaduna based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Yunus Ustaz Usman, has expressed dismay at the performance of election tribunals in the country, saying that the judgments are not in line with law and logic.
Speaking with DAILY POST in Kaduna, he said, “I am not happy with the election tribunals at all. Anybody that says he is happy with judgments of the election tribunals is deceiving himself. Fortunately, we have a Supreme Court judge totally incorruptible. Most of the judgments delivered were not in consonance with law and logic. It makes one to weep for this country.
“I am calling on Nigerians that not only governorship election be taken to the Supreme Court but all election cases must go to the Supreme Court. Anybody that tells you that he is satisfied with the election tribunals is just deceiving himself and God. All abuse cases of election tribunals should be allowed to go to the Supreme Court; that is the only way that Nigerians will tell you that we have obtained justice. What is happening at election tribunals make sincere Nigerians to weep.”
He noted that for there to be fair hearing of any election case, the tribunal should hold its hearing or judgment in the same state and not to be taken to a neutral ground. He also advised that the judges handling the case should be under close supervision by security agents throughout the duration of the case to avoid any interference by any party.
Speaking on the last National Conference, he expressed delight that the membership cut across all segments of the country, stressing that the resolutions taken were pragmatic and meant to move the country forward. “Unfortunately, Goodluck Jonathan refused to be his ascent on the constitutional amendment which would have brought their views into focus. I am not happy that President Buhari and the present National Assembly have not done anything to re-enact and amend the constitution accordingly,” he added.
Expressing his views on the caliber of the ministerial nominees recently screened by the Senate, he said, “They were not screened, it was like an interactive session and the Senate did not ask questions. I don’t think they intend to get anything from the ministerial nominees either.
“The Senate has not done anything impressive since its inception and the country is not moving anywhere. They have not brought up the issue of the constitution amendment; it appears the interest of Nigerians is not uppermost in their minds.”
Regarding the ministerial nominees already screened by the Senate, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria opined that President Buhari could have engaged technocrats and people that Nigerians would say through them, the desired change will take effect.
“When it comes to national leadership, we are not talking of party and that is why the country is not moving forward. It could have been people that are straight forward like Buhari himself. The country is disappointed with the caliber of people he appointed,” he explained.
Speaking on the anti-corruption war being fought by the present administration, Barrister Yunus said that President Buhari was fighting the war alone. He called on the president to arrest and prosecute anybody found to be corrupt irrespective of who the person may be in the society..
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