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Justice Umukoro

The Delta State Judiciary has constituted the Election Petition Tribunals and Local Government Council Election Petition Appeal Tribunal to hear and determine petitions that may arise from the January 6 Local Government elections.
While inaugurating the 18 member Election Petition Tribunals and the three Judges who would sit on appeal in Asaba, the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro challenged the members to deliver judgments strictly on Law and facts, devoid of any extraneous considerations.
Justice Umukoro who reminded the members of section 130(2) and 130(3) of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2017 urged the 18 member Election Tribunal to deliver its judgment in writing within the stipulated 180 days period from the date of filing of the petition, while Appeal Tribunal shall do same within 90 days from the date of delivery of judgment of the Tribunal.
The Chief Judge emphasized that their appointment was based on their antecedents anchored on hard work, honesty and diligence, emphasising that they should not perform below expectations as Deltans, as petitioners and respondents were looking up to them to deliver judgments according to evidence and Law placed before them.
He enjoined members to remain focus and not to be distracted by acts of blackmailers, rumour mongers, hate speech merchants and a section of social media who he said review evidence and deliver judgment in consonance with the figments of their imagination.
Justice Mukoro also warned that appropriate disciplinary measures and sanctions would be imposed on any member who breached the subscribed oath of office in the face of verified complaints and petitions.
Responding on behalf of members of the Tribunals, Justice Maidoh thanked the Chief Judge for deeming them fit for the onerous task and promised to justify the confidence reposed on them and to handle petitions brought before them on merit irrespective of the parties involved.