Today, Nigerians await a three-hour judgement to determine the outcome of the petition filed by the opposition parties, challenging APC’s victory at the February 25 polls.
While we wait, let’s take a look at the five-man panel, set to deliver judgement on this long-awaited tribunal ruling.
1) Justice Haruna Tsammani
The 64 year-old high court judge is not new to election tribunal cases, as his vast experience in issues like this can’t be underestimated. He was called to the Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School in 1983, and he was part of the panel in the case between former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, against the election of the late governor, Abiola Ajimobi.
2) Justice Stephen Jonah Adah
The Kogi State-born justice is from the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal, and he was appointed as a judge of the Federal High Court on November 12, 1998. His wealth of experience in cases like this is on record, as he has handled high profile cases in the past. Some of the cases he has handled are, The case between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and former president Goodluck Jonathan,s cousin, Robert Azibaola in 2020, Valentine Ozigbo as the PDP governorship candidate for the Anambra governorship election in 2022, amongst others.
3) Justice Bolaji-Yusuf
The only female justice in the tribunal is equally as experienced as her male counterparts. She was appointed as a justice in the Oyo State High Court on January 30, 1997. The Oyo State born justice was appointed to the Court of Appeal on March 24, 2014.
4) Justice Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo
The Bayelsa-State-born justice, who hails from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area ranks 44th on the seniority list of the Court of Appeal. He studied law from 1985 to 1989, and later attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1990.
5) Justice Mohammed Abba Bello
He has handled high profile cases like the case involving David Ombugadu, the PDP governorship candidate in the general election of 2019, who filed a suit against INEC and Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressive Congress. He also presided over the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Tribunal in 2019. He is ranked 71st on the seniority list of the Court of Appeal.
Aggrieved parties can proceed to the Supreme Court, if not satisfied with the verdict of the tribunal.
