Kogi State Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Mouktar Atimah has described Monday Tribunal judgment which dismissed the party and its candidate’s case against the victory of Governor Yahaya Bello as winner of last year Kogi governorship election, Natasha Akpoti, as a ‘black market judgment’.
Addressing newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, Atimah said the Tribunal judgment cannot stand the test of serious scrutiny at appeal court.
He lamented that in spite of the judiciary reforms, there are still some bad eggs amongst the judges who are still been influenced to deliver judgment.
“The judiciary have improved and kept its shoulders above board, but there are some few people whose senses of judgment have continued to smear the image of the judiciary as well as damage the character of the judiciary.
“This judgment is obnoxious and derogatory. It also belittles the personality of the judge in question. It is a black market judgement.
“What is more painful is the comment of the judge who went out of his way to rate our case and described it as the “most unsuccessful case”. This shows the judge is already biased and have taken a position before delivering his judgment.
“The tribunal refused to go into the core prayers and ground by which we approached the court, rather, the tribunal gives judgment outside it. The way and manner that judgment was made without recourse to our grounds and prayers is not only curious but also suspicious and an aberration of justice.
“We shall take it to the appeal court where judges who are reformed and have a better understanding of law are.
“Not only are we sure of victory, but by the end of everything, our party will occupy the Lugard House,” he said.
