Court Rejects Obi, Atiku’s Request For Live Coverage Of Petitions Against Tinubu

The Presidential Election Petition Court [PEPC] sitting in Abuja has declined to grant request to allow its day-to-day proceedings on petitions seeking to nullify the outcome of the 2023 presidential election to be televised.

Ruling on it on Monday, Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five member panel dismissed the application on basis of lacking in merit.

The Nigerian Voice understands that the application was brought before the Tribunal by the two major candidates, Peter Obi of Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of PDP, who are already challenging the outcome of the presidential election that held on February 25.

The court held that no regulatory framework or policy direction, permitted it to grant such application.

It held that allowing cameras in the court room is a major judicial policy that must be supported by the law.

“The court can only be guided and act in accordance with the practice directions and procedures approved by the President of the Court of Appeal.

“We cannot permit a situation that may lead to dramatization of our proceedings,” Justice Tsammani held.

Besides, the court held that the request was not part of any relief in the petitions before it, saying it was merely hinged on sentimental claim that it would benefit the electorates.

It maintained that the petitioners failed to establish how televising the proceedings would advance their case, adding that such live broadcast would not have any utilitarian value to add to the determination of the petitions.