Obi’s supporters blackmailing judiciary- Falana

Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana has warned supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi to stop blackmailing the judges.

Falana, while answering questions on the state of the nation anchored by Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, specifically criticised supporters of the LP for embarking on a mission that could cause disunity in Nigeria.

The presidential election petitions tribunal had fixed wednesday to deliver its verdict in the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party, Peter Obi.

The Court of Appeal Registrar, Umar Bangari who confirmed this, said the proceedings would be open to live broadcast by interested television stations.

Falana, who was asked to speak on the developments on Monday, said, ” We have been having election petitions since the colonial era, but none has attracted such level of blackmail and intimidation of the judiciary.

“Just last Friday, we were at a program in Abuja where I addressed the Unions. Some dubious characters got a copy of the video tape, they put on top that if the judiciary fails Nigerians, there should be a coup.

“Some of the people blackmailing the judiciary are voting for the first, having the notion that their candidate must win at all costs.

“They believe that their candidate must be declared the winner, that’s not the role of the judges.

“The judges should not be intimidated, they are to examine the cases critically and deliver their judgment.

“Any party that loses on Wednesday still has the ability to appeal at the Supreme Court. Let me appeal to Nigerians to allow due process of law to take its course.”