Judges of the Kano governorship election tribunal are not physically in court.
The tribunal is set to deliver judgment in a petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to challenge the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Journalists, lawyers, party members and many others were denied access into the court.
Daily Trust had reported how the Secretariat said there would be no live broadcast of the judgment and that the few journalists admitted into the court would not make use of smartphones or cameras.
Top security officials had earlier told Daily Trust that they did not know the whereabouts of the judges and that it was possible that the proceeding would be virtual.
When the proceedings commenced before 10, Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, Chairman of the three-member panel, spoke via Zoom.
It is unclear why the judges are not in court, but there have been allegations and counter allegations against the panel.
Daily Trust had reported how former Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya, had asked the judges to choose between their lives and their work while delivering judgement.
“People voted for us and some people are attempting to do injustice. We want to tell the judges that we will not accept this. Any judge that is willing to deprive us of our rights will regret it. Whatever will happen, we won’t care…,” he had said during a protest organised by members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state.
His comment had triggered backlash, leading to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf sacking him.
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