By Marcus Ikechukwu
To ensure speedy dispensation of judgments relating to pre-electoral cases, the Federal High Court of Nigeria has constituted a special task force to achieve the mandate.
A circular letter to that effect was issued by the Honourable Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho on Wednesday.
In the circular, Justice Tsoho said it became necessary to designate a team of Judges following the large volume of pre-election suits that have flooded the court.
According to the circular, Judges who are members of the Task Force will suspend all regular cases in their respective courts, due to the urgency of the electoral cases, which are time-bound.
“In view of the large volume of Pre-Election cases filed so far; with the imminent attendant risk of lapsing, it has become necessary to constitute a Task Force to speedily dispose of the matters, particularly in those Judicial Divisions with a glut of them.”
A statement by Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, Assistant Director Information, Federal High Court of Nigeria, indicated that the Judges will have four weeks within which to dispose of the pre-election cases.
It was also gathered that the latest decision by the Court may not be unconnected with the 2023 general elections which kicks off in February next year.
A sizeable number of litigations are believed to be in the Courts, a development that is also posing challenges to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, especially in terms of its preparations.