Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded presidential election has sought the live broadcast of the proceeding.
The PDP flag-bearer sought this today when he approached the tribunal in a case, he filed against the outcome of the February 25th general election.
In an application dated May 5, Atiku and the PDP seek “An order Directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of Media Practitioners and their Equipment into the courtroom.”
However, a date is yet to be fixed for hearing in the fresh application.
Background
Atiku and his team of lawyers want a live broadcast on the ground that the case is of public interest, involving citizens and voters in the recently concluded election.
The PDP candidate who is represented by lawyers led by Chris Uche, SAN is seeking a live broadcast for the International Community, to be abreast of the workings of Nigeria’s Electoral Process.
“An integral part of the constitutional duty of the Court to hold proceedings in public is a discretion to allow public access to proceedings either physically or by electronic means.
“With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this Honourable Court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing, and electronic filing, a departure from the Rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this Honourable Court, and will enhance public confidence.” Atiku prays.
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More calls for live broadcast
On March 23, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urged the judiciary to allow for live broadcast of court hearings on election petitions, specifically the presidential election cases.
Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of Leaders of Thoughts and Legal Icons supported the initiative.
They consequently invited Nigerians to sign up on an appeal on commonbliceng, a non-partisan online platform, in solidarity of the initiative.
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and crucial leader of thought of Project Nigeria Movement (PNM), a body of renowned leaders of thought in the country, led by notable constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze supported calls for a live broadcast.
Prof Tonnie Iredia, a former Director General of Nigeria Television Authority and communications scholar called for televising election petition proceedings in Nigeria. According to him, this is in the interest of national concern and public interest, as envisaged by the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).