Yemi Candide-Johnson, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has expressed faith in the judicial process as petitions for the 2023 elections begin.
Candide-Johnson stated on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that the court process is the best option for dealing with petitioners’ dissatisfaction with the election outcome.
“I have confidence in the forensic process which is deployed in the court. I believe that if a case is presented to the highest ability and defended to the highest ability and efficiency, the court is the best environment in which facts may be analysed, data may be analysed, arguments may be heard and the best possible rational decision may be produced,” he said.
“I have confidence in the system of justice. There have been aberrations in many decisions in the past but there is no better instrument for determining truth than cross-examination and the analysis of the presentation of evidence.”
The SAN added that: “It is very easy to blame judges and put the burden on them but the principal task of organising, analysing, and presenting a case is that of the lawyer who has the brief.
“If he presents a compelling case, it becomes increasingly difficult for a judge, no matter how ill-motivated such judge may be, to divert from the truth as far as the facts and the law.”
The lawyer also noted that the true test of court cases related to politics rests in the electorate’s perception.
“When a court decides a political case, whatever their decision is, that decision is going to be tested by public perception and it is going to be tested on the ground. Ultimately every political contest is decided by the people,” he added.
“Regardless of what decision comes on paper from INEC, there is a process for the challenge. Irrespective of what judgement comes from the court, it has to manifest. If you won the election, you should have immunity in the area you have won the election. There is a test beyond the judicial process.”