HURIWA petitions NJC over alleged miscarriage of justice in Enugu governorship election tribunal

 

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has submitted a formal petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), raising serious concerns over an alleged miscarriage of justice in the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The petition focused on the conduct of the tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Kudirat Akano, and her panel members during the adjudication of Petition No: EPT/EN/GOV/01/2023.

The petition, addressed to the Chairman of the NJC, highlighted critical issues related to the tribunal’s handling of the election dispute filed by Chijioke Edoga and the Labour Party, challenging the outcomes of the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election in Enugu State.

A statement signed by HURIWA national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Thursday, said the key point of contention in the dispute revolves around the authenticity of Governor Ndubuisi Peter Mbah’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.

The Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was tasked with adjudicating Petition No: EPT/EN/GOV/01/2023. This petition was filed by Chijioke Edoga and the Labour Party, contesting the outcomes of the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election in Enugu State, involving the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Ndubuisi Peter Mbah, and the People’s Democratic Party.

At the heart of this electoral dispute lies a fundamental issue: the authenticity of Governor Peter Mbah’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. The NYSC, a government institution, played a pivotal role in these proceedings by testifying that they did not issue the certificate presented by Governor Mbah. This revelation raised legal questions and concerns about the sanctity of a national institution and the principles of electoral integrity, ” it said.

HURIWA contended that the tribunal’s dismissal of compelling evidence and testimony from NYSC officials regarding the questionable nature of Governor Mbah’s certificate is a cause for alarm

The organization argued that this decision raises questions about the tribunal’s commitment