The Supreme Court has debunked reports claiming some of its judges withdrew themselves from the panel set to hear the appeals against President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25, 2023 election.
The Editor Nigeria reports the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi as well as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) are all challenging Tinubu’s victory in separate petitions at the Supreme Court.
The apex court is set to hear the petitions today, Monday, 23rd October 2023.
However ahead of the court session, some platforms (not Naija News) claimed five of the seven-man panel of justices have withdrawn and refused to be on the panel due to an alleged crisis in the apex court.
Reacting, however, the Supreme Court’s Director, Press and information, Dr. Festus Akande said there is no truth in such reports as all members of the panel are intact and ready to hear the petition on Monday (today).
“This is not true. The panel is ready. You will see all the Justices tomorrow (today). There is no crisis anywhere, as claimed by those online platforms.
“I assure you that the panel is intact and will hear the appeals on Monday,” Akande said.
Meanwhile, ahead of today’s Supreme Court session, the Editor Nigeria reports the presence of heavily armed security operatives at the Supreme Court and its surrounding areas.
Also, it was gathered that entry into the courtroom would be restricted.
