The Nasarawa and Benue elections petitions tribunal’s chairman, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, has warned lawyers against giving frivolous excuses for adjournment.

Mr Ajayi warned during the combined inaugural sitting of the three-member panel of justices.

The chairman, who said the tribunal would work within 14 days, called for the cooperation of lawyers for a timely dispensation of justice.

‘We are here for justice, equity and quick dispensation of justice. We will not entertain frivolous adjournments,” Mr Ajayi said.

Joe Gadzama (SAN), who responded on behalf of other lawyers, promised to cooperate with the tribunal justices to enable them to do their work seamlessly in the interest of democracy and the rule of law.

When the first petition by the Nasarawa PDP governorship candidate in the last poll, David Ombugadu, against Governor Abdullahi Sule, was mentioned for pre-hearing, the lead counsel to the petitioner, Mr Gadzama, adopted the petition.

While addressing the tribunal, counsel to the first, second, and third respondents, Ishaka Dikko, Adebayo Ade and Hassan Liman, adopted their answers to the pre-hearing, respectively.

Justice Ajayi fixed June 9 for the continuation of pre-hearing.

The tribunal also entertained the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) petition, challenging INEC’s declaration of Mr Sule as the governor.

In the case between Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC and the PDP governorship candidate Titus Uba, the tribunal adjourned sitting until June 8 to continue pre-hearing.

Speaking with reporters after the pre-hearing, Mr Gazama said the adjournment was in the interest of the parties involved, noting that all cases filed regarding the governorship elections are at the tribunal for a pre-hearing conference.

On his part, counsel to INEC, Mr Diko, said all the lawyers had agreed that all the petitions should be taken and treated within three days instead of having staggered applications.

(NAN)