April 16, 2008
Nigeria's Supreme Court has set Tuesday, April 29 to begin expeditious and accelerated hearing of the electoral appeal filed by former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and his ANPP counterpart, General Muhammad Buhari (rtd).
Sources at the apex court told Saharareporters that the justices of the Supreme Court are determined to conclude the appeal before July when they are billed to begin their annual vacation for the year.
The list of members of the panel that will hear the case was yet to be made public as at the time of going to press.
Lawyers on both sides said the hearing notice was a surprise since they are yet to fully submit their briefs to the apex court. This development has fueled speculations that the court’s decision is informed by new political realities, including Umar Yar’adua’s precarious health condition.
Several electoral tribunals have recently invalidated more governorship elections.
Sources told our correspondent that the sudden illness that forced Yar'adua to be flown to Germany for urgent medical treatment may have shaken his associates’ confidence in the long term viability of his “presidency.”
Saharareporters earlier reported that Yar’adua’s symptoms are associated with a rare ailment known as Churg Strauss Syndrome. It is an incurable condition.
Sources at the apex court told Saharareporters that the justices of the Supreme Court are determined to conclude the appeal before July when they are billed to begin their annual vacation for the year.
The list of members of the panel that will hear the case was yet to be made public as at the time of going to press.
Lawyers on both sides said the hearing notice was a surprise since they are yet to fully submit their briefs to the apex court. This development has fueled speculations that the court’s decision is informed by new political realities, including Umar Yar’adua’s precarious health condition.
Several electoral tribunals have recently invalidated more governorship elections.
Sources told our correspondent that the sudden illness that forced Yar'adua to be flown to Germany for urgent medical treatment may have shaken his associates’ confidence in the long term viability of his “presidency.”
Saharareporters earlier reported that Yar’adua’s symptoms are associated with a rare ailment known as Churg Strauss Syndrome. It is an incurable condition.
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