Judex Okoro, Calabar
Chairman of Election Petitions Tribunal in Calabar, Justice Vincent Agbata, has warned politicians and their agents to stay off members of the panel, as they have no agent or representative of any sort.
Speaking during the inaugural sitting of the tribunal at state High Court Complex, Calabar, Justice Agbata said anybody or group of persons as well as any agent trying to curry favour from them would be doing so at his or her detriment.
Other members of the panel are Justice Ishaku Kunda and Justice Abukakar Bello.
He said: “We did not appoint any agent or representative. Anyone claiming to be our agent is on his or her own. We run an open door policy, and anyone who wants to approach us can do that in the open court, and not outside or behind.
“No one should try to reach me or any member of the tribunal privately for any reason; every concern must be in the open court because we are here to serve. We remain learned friends, but there will be no private business of any sort or coloration at all.