From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin
Edo State Local Government Appeal Tribunal sitting in Benin City, has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) petition seeking the disqualification of two judges for lack of merit.
The PDP had in a motion requested the disqualification of Justice Esther Edigin and Justice J. I Acha from the membership of the Tribunal.
In an unanimous judgement read by Justice Esther Edigin yesterday, the Tribunal said the allegations of bias or likelihood of bias preferred against the two judges were “ in all ramifications a case of gambling and attempt to blackmail the two judges who do not have the right of reply.’’
It said there was no where the issue of grievance or animosity flows in the matter for consideration in the court entertaining the disputed Esan North East Council election declared in favour of All progressive candidate (APC) candidate, Samuel Oboh, by Edo State Independent electoral commission (EDSIEC) last year.
The judge held that lenient applicants cross appeals could not have warranted the petitions written by the PDP to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, seeking their disqualification.
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