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A senior lawyer, Magaji Mato, SAN, has warned that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, may face challenges if the Supreme Court of Nigeria fails to deliver judgment in a pending appeal within 48 hours.
Mato said the call for an expedited ruling is justified given the political timelines and deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The senior lawyer spoke on Wednesday while fielding questions on the Arise Television’s Morning Show, while stressing that the matter has significant implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
Mato acknowledged that the Constitution allows the court up to three months to deliver judgment but argued that the urgency of the case demands a faster decision.
He warned that a delayed ruling could render the judgment ineffective and potentially trigger political tensions and possibly disrupt the electoral process.
Mato said: “If the ADC feels that there is need for decisions in the appeal which has not been heard to be given expeditiously, they are not wrong.
“And of course, the court will also not have problem with any party, especially in a political situation that we find ourselves – there is issue of deadline, of timetable, of INEC, or whatever; it will not be out of place for them to be calling for expeditious decisions.
“I’m sure even the Justices of the Supreme Court are not oblivious of this very fundamental call that this matter affects the entire nation. In fact, not just the entire nation, the whole world is watching. And whatever it is that is done that will be inimical to the smooth running of our democracy, to deprive the fundamental rights of other individuals and other political parties to fairly contest in the election, definitely that should be frowned at.
“I’m not sure anybody will be happy to see that because of my conduct, or because of my action, or in another party or another person who ordinarily has the potential to contest in an election, is denied that I think history will not forget this kind of conduct.
“The Constitution rightly gives the court three months to deliver judgment. But what is the nature of the judgment we’re talking about?
“It is a judgment that, if delivered late, will have no meaning, will have no effects on the parties that have come to court, and in fact, it will create crisis and situations in the country.
“They are human, but I’m sure they have also been responsibly responding to issues of this nature, and I believe just the way you have done, I do not expect that this judgment would exceed today and tomorrow.
“If it does, then definitely some of these political parties will be having issues with INEC deadline and timetables”.
ADC in trouble if Supreme Court delays judgment beyond 48 hours – Magaji Mato
