Appeal Court panel hands-off from Ondo PDP matter

Following a petition alleging bias against the three-member panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal by the Ondo state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Biyi Poroye, the panel has excused itself from hearing all the appeals relating to the Ondo State governorship election slated for next month.

Justice Hannatu Sankey, who presided over the panel, said all the files relating to Ondo State governorship election appeals will be handed over to the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, for her to re-assign to another panel.

Poroye, had, in a seven page petition dated October 31, 2016, which he addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) accused the panel handling the appeals of bias and that Justice Sankey, heading the panel was at sick and became poor as a result of the cost of treament.

He said the constitution of the panel is an opportunity for Sankey to recoup what she has lost in the course sickness.