Court dismisses request for live coverage of proceedings

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed the application seeking for a live telecast of the proceedings on petitions challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

The two contenders, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party(LP) had in separate applications asked the court for a live broadcast of the proceeding.

However, the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five member panel in a joint ruling dismissed the application for lacking in merit, adding that no regulatory framework or policy direction, permitted it to grant such application.

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

Further in the ruling, PEPC held that the application, albinitio, was not part of any relief in the petitions before it.

According to the panel, the petitioners failed to establish how live broadcast of the proceedings would advance their case, as well as add value to the determination of the petitions.

“ The application was merely hinged on sentimental claim that it would benefit the electorates.

“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.

Director of Legal, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mrs Serah Okunade (R) with the Head of Operation National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Owerri, Mr Nnaji Ifeanyi (L), signing documents for the distribution of Presidential Palliatives for Year 2022 flood victims in Imo State, during the ceremony at the NEMA ware house, yesterday in Owerri on