The number of calls I have been receiving for past
three weeks or thereabout regarding my seeming
silence on the Presidential Election Petition case
now at the Supreme Court is unprecedented that it
proves only one thing – Nigerians are very keen.
They are keen to see justice delivered.
They are keen for their country to truly move
forward.
They are keen to see the actualisation of AtikuObi
presidency.
Most of the calls I receive revolve around time.
Majority are worried that time may catch up with
the case that it becomes statute-barred and hence
the petition getting finally dumped on technical
grounds.
Yes, everything is possible in Nigeria but not this
one. President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabal
might be tyrants but not yet powerful enough to put
the Supreme Court in a muffle bag and zip shut.
Now, let’s understand how the Supreme Court
operates. In matters of this sensitive and attention-
focused nature, all 16 justices of the Supreme Court
get complete copies of the Appeal package. All of
them study every dot and comma, study the
judgement being appealed, go through all grounds
of appeal with a toothcomb, research on all
citations and constitutional references, research on
the probable counters … and wait.
Then whoever and whenever they are selected for
the case in question, they appear in court,
acknowledge the respective counsels and give a
date for judgement.
There won’t be further hearing, re-presentation of
cases, calling of further witnesses or submission of
new materials in evidence.
Seven justices in all will determine the fate of
modern Nigeria. The verdict will be based on
simple majority.
Today is October 23. Counting 60 days from 14
days after the date of the Tribunal judgement on
September 11, there are 33 days left for the
Supreme Court to deliver judgement.
Therefore the
judgement must be delivered on or before
November 25.
And believe me when I tell you that the judgement
must be delivered.
The Supreme Court led by the CJN, Justice Ibrahim
Mohammed Tanko has this last chance to save the
Judiciary from further ridicule and subsequently save
a sinking nation.
From what transpired during hearing at the lower
court, Atiku and PDP counsels led by Dr. Livy
Uzoukwu did enough to prove their case beyond
every reasonable doubt.
The Tribunal justices delivered what most Nigerians
and the watching world believe is a jaundiced judgement.
The Petitioner’s team packaged a 72-Ground Appeal
with just one of the grounds capable of sending
Buhari back to Daura or wherever.
It is left to be seen how at least four out of the
seven justices will dismiss all 72 grounds just to
retain Buhari in Aso Rock.
Feelers say the civilian junta in Aso Rock are
shopping for the right seven justices that would
save their master’s neck. Same sources say that the
Presidency is forcing the hands of Justice Tanko to
jettison the rule of picking the most senior seven
judges in favour of arbitrarily picking any seven of
the 16.
There are signs all over the place that these
are not mere rumour, hence the delay in announcing
the super seven.
However it is selected, any Supreme Court justice
that thwarts justice at this critical time of our history
may not have enough time left for regrets here but
certainly our ancestors will waiting over there with
sledge hammers.
All Nigerians ask from them is justice in real name
of justice.
Keep following and sharing as…
#HistoryBeckons.
Young-po Reporters 