The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to provide adequate security for Election Petition Tribunal Members across the country following alleged threat to their lives.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Mr Henry Dickson, in a letter to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondooakaa (SAN), said the tribunals have done the country proud with their judgements despite alleged efforts to induce them.

He said in a letter to the Minister of Justice that it was disheartening that the Tribunal Members are raising issues about threat to their lives and urged him to take decisive and urgent steps to address the matter by ensuring maximum security is provided for tribunal members, their families and judges generally.

One of the state tribunals in the South-South region has reportedly been changing its hotel arrangement after it delivered a ruling in one of the petitions before it.

Besides, a tribunal chairman in the South-West had disclosed last week that desperate politicians were moving round in a bid to induce tribunal members.

The House Committee Chairman, Mr. Henry Dickson’s letter to Aondoakaa was dated April 10 and entitled, "Threat to life of Election Petition Tribunal Members and Judges Generally."

The letter reads: "It has come to the knowledge of the committee that there are concerns of personal safety expressed by the election petition tribunal members and judges generally in the course of the performance of their duties.

"The committee writes to inform you and to request that you use your best endeavours to ensure that adequate security is provided for members of various tribunals and appeal tribunals sitting nationwide.

"You may also liaise with or direct the relevant security agencies of the federation to ensure that the security of judges generally and their families be taken as a matter of utmost concern."

Dickson’s letter was copied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria; President, Court of Appeal; Inspector General of Police; Director General of State Security Service and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Title:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments