NJC Speaks On Resignation Of Presidential Tribunal Judge

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has debunked reports on social media that Justice Boloukuoromo Ugo had withdrawn his membership of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

There were reports on Wednesday claiming that the justice resigned over pressure from the executive to rule in its favour.

A Twitter user, Umar Sani had shared the news on Twitter.

Sani alleged that the judge, in his resignation letter, stated that he was asked to “cripple the independence of the judiciary” by ruling in favour of a certain political candidate believed to be President Bola Tinubu.

However, reacting in a chat with TheCable on Thursday, the spokesman of the NJC, Soji Oye said the claims are false and should be ignored by discerning Nigerians.

Oye stated that the aim of the claims is to distract Nigerians and set the tone for a narrative, in the event that the court’s judgement doesn’t favour the rumour peddlers.

The NJC spokesman added that the presidential election petition court will issue a formal statement to address the issues.

Also reacting to the development, the Secretary of the presidential tribunal, Josephine Ekperobe, said the claims are false and baseless.

Ekperobe said she spent time with the judge  on Wednesday and that as of Thursday, she is yet to be informed of the judge’s purported resignation.