The pre-hearing phase of the case brought by some dissatisfied parties challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election commenced at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) in Abuja on Monday.
This legal action stems from the declaration of Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner of the fiercely contested election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Tinubu’s competitors, rejected the outcome and have taken the matter to court.
List of Justices for Presidential Election Petition Tribunal
- Hon. Justice Haruna Simon TSAMMANI
- Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah ADAH
- Hon. Justice Abba Bello Mohammed
- Hon. Justice Mistura Omodere Bolaji-Yusuf
- Hon. Justice Boloukuoromo Moses UGO
Hon. Justice Haruna Simon TSAMMANI
Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, one of the judges sitting at the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT)
Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani was born on November 23, 1959, in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State. He earned his LL.B degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1982 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983 after attending the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
On September 17, 1998, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Bauchi State, and on July 16, 2010, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal. He currently ranks 12th on the Seniority list of the Court of Appeal and will serve as Chairman of the Panel at the 2023 presidential election petition tribunal.
Hon. Justice Tsammani is well-known for presiding over several high-profile cases, including the VAT case between the Rivers State Government and the Federal Government. He also chaired the three-man panel that granted Obi and Atiku’s motions to serve Tinubu their petitions by substituted means.
In 2019, he prepared the judgement in Ajimobi v Balogun, which upheld Kola Balogun’s election as Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District.
With his vast legal experience and expertise, Hon. Justice Tsammani is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to the Panel at the 2023 presidential election petition tribunal (PEPT)
Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah ADAH
Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah was born on June 13, 1957, in Dekina LGA of Kogi State. He earned his LL.B degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1981 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982 after attending the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
On November 12, 1998, he was appointed a Judge of the Federal High Court, and on November 05, 2012, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal. Currently ranked 22nd on the Seniority list of the Court of Appeal, Justice Adah has presided over several high-profile cases during his illustrious career.
He served as a member of the three-man panel that granted Obi and Atiku’s motions to serve Tinubu their petitions by substituted means. Justice Adah also led the panel that affirmed Ifeanyi Ubah as a Senator after his sack over alleged certificate forgery.
In addition, he presided over the panel that affirmed Valentine Ozigbo as the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate for the Anambra Governorship Election.
With his vast legal experience and expertise, Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to any case he presides over.
Hon. Justice Abba Bello Mohammed
Hon. Justice Abba Bello Mohammed was born on February 19, 1961, in Kano State. He earned his LL.B degree from the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1984, before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School in Lagos the following year for his BL Certificate.
On July 15, 2010, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of the FCT, and on June 28, 2021, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal. He served as a member of the three-man panel that granted Obi and Atiku’s motions to serve Tinubu their petitions by substituted means.
In 2019, Hon. Justice Abba Bello Mohammed was the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Governorship Petitions Tribunal that dismissed the case filed by David Ombugadu against Governor Abdullahi Sule. Currently ranked 71st out of the 76 Judges on the roll call of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Abba Bello Mohammed is well-versed in Nigerian law and brings his experience to every case he presides over.
Hon. Justice Mistura Omodere Bolaji-Yusuf
Hon. Justice Mistura Omodere Bolaji-Yusuf was born on August 7, 1959, in Oyo West LGA of Oyo State. She earned her LL.B degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1983 and was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year after attending the Nigerian Law School.
On January 30, 1997, she was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Oyo State, and on March 24, 2014, she was elevated to the Court of Appeal. Currently ranked 31st on the roll call of the Court of Appeal, Justice Bolaji-Yusuf has presided over several important cases during her career.
She was on the panel that affirmed that Candidates of the Obaseki-faction were the authentic Candidates to participate in the 2023 Elections. With her wealth of knowledge and expertise, Hon. Justice Mistura Omodere Bolaji-Yusuf is expected to bring her extensive legal experience to bear in any case she presides over.
Hon. Justice Boloukuoromo Moses UGO
Hon. Justice Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo was born on June 7, 1965, in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State. He earned his LL.B degree from the University of Calabar in 1989 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School in Lagos the following year, where he obtained his BL Certificate.
On March 21, 2006, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Bayelsa State, and on March 24, 2014, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal. Currently ranked 44th on the roll call of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo is expected to bring his vast legal knowledge and experience to any case he presides over.
