VOICE AIR MEDIA News Update
Renowned senior advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, has voiced his strong opinion on the composition of election petition Tribune.
According to Babalola, only retired judges should be entrusted with the responsibility of handling these tribunals, emphasizing the need for experienced jurists to preside over such critical matters.
Babalola’s stance on the matter was made known during a recent interview. He argued that retired judges possess the requisite wisdom, experience, and impartiality necessary to handle election petition cases effectively. By involving retired judges exclusively, Babalola believes that the tribunals would benefit from their wealth of knowledge and deep understanding of legal intricacies, leading to fair and just outcomes.
The senior advocate expressed concern over the current practice of allowing serving judges to preside over election petition tribunals while simultaneously handling their regular judicial duties. In his view, this dual responsibility often results in an overwhelming workload for judges, compromising the quality and speed of justice delivery. Babalola emphasized the need for the dedicated attention of retired judges, unburdened by the pressures of daily judicial responsibilities.
Supporting his argument, Babalola referenced the precedent set by the United Kingdom, where retired judges are exclusively appointed to handle election petition tribunals. He pointed out that this practice has been successful in ensuring fair and efficient resolution of election disputes, which are critical to upholding the democratic process.
Babalola further stressed that the Nigerian judiciary must take proactive measures to enhance public confidence in the electoral system. By entrusting retired judges with the responsibility of overseeing election petition cases, the judiciary can reinforce the perception of fairness and impartiality, which are essential for maintaining public trust.