Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Bans Phones, Gadgets From May 22

THERE was chaos at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday morning as lawyers, including senior advocates and journalists, were asked to drop their phones and other gadgets including laptops before accessing the courtroom.

A boldly printed notice was pasted on the three entrances leading into the courtroom, with many lawyers expressing dismay over such a directive. 

Many who had set out early to the court were left locked out as the door to the courtroom remained shut.

The situation got agitated when the secretary to the Tribunal, Josephine Ekperobe arrived, and told all the lawyers and journalists waiting to access the courtroom to comply with the instructions. This drew shouts of condemnation from the crowd of lawyers who had been waiting anxiously since about 9 am, forcing her to retreat. 

A Few minutes later, at about 9:45 am, the door to the courtroom was eventually opened to allow people in.

No explanation was given for the notice or who issued the directive.

But the court’s secretary later apologized, saying it was “a directive from above” which will take effect from Monday 22nd May 2023.

Eighteen-Eleven Media