Falana conveyed his observations during an interview on Channels TV Politics.

He emphasized that the judiciary is currently confronting an unprecedented wave of blackmail and intimidation, particularly in anticipation of the forthcoming judgment by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), also known as the tribunal, scheduled to be delivered in Abuja on Wednesday.

Falana expressed, “Some of the people involved are voting for the first time, and they believe rightly or wrongly that their candidate must be declared the winner, and I think this is what is going on.”

He underscored that election petitions have been a part of Nigeria’s history since the colonial era but lamented that none have previously experienced such a high level of blackmail and intimidation targeting the judiciary.

Addressing the situation, Falana expressed concern about the misconception that the entire electoral process hinges solely on the judgment of the Court of Appeal and the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

He clarified,  “I am worried that people give the impression that everything ends with the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Any party that loses on Wednesday still has the opportunity to appeal to the Supreme Court. So, what is the basis for the cheap blackmail that is going on?”

Concluding his remarks, Falana urged judges not to be swayed by intimidation, emphasizing that they must uphold their duty to examine the evidence, apply the law, and deliver a decision based on their conviction.

He reassured that even in the face of election disputes, those who feel aggrieved by the judgment of the Court of Appeal have the option to seek redress at the Supreme Court, demonstrating any perceived errors in the appellate court’s decision.

In an announcement made by Umar Bangari, the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, it was confirmed that the proceedings would be accessible for live broadcast by interested television networks.

In a statement, the court registrar stated, “The Court of Appeal wishes to inform the General Public that judgment in the following petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Court will be delivered on Wednesday 6th September 2023: CA/PEPC/03/2023 between Mr. Peter Gregory Obi & Anor VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3 Ors. CA/PEPC/04/2023 between Allied Peoples Movement VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 4 Ors,”

He continued, “CA/PEPC/05/2023 between Abubakar Atiku & Anor VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 2 Ors. In a bid to promote transparency and openness, these judgments will be televised live by interested Television Stations for the public to follow.”

While emphasizing the importance of accreditation for access to the court premises, he noted that only accredited individuals, including counsel and political party representatives, would be allowed into the courtroom. The general public was advised to tune in to television broadcasts to follow the proceedings closely.

Notably, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), along with their respective presidential candidates, had filed petitions with the tribunal in an attempt to invalidate the 2023 presidential election victory of President Bola Tinubu.

Furthermore, judgments from election tribunals in 25 states regarding governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly election petitions are also expected. These cases contest the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 25 out of the 28 states where elections took place.

Following the second court session on Wednesday, Kenneth Okonkwo, one of the spokespersons for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, disclosed the information.

The court adjourned after a brief petition hearing, according to Okonkwo, who also appeared in court as one of the Labour Party, LP’s legal representatives.

He wrote: “After a brief hearing of the matter, the court adjourned to Wednesday, 17 May 2023, for a continuation of hearing…I will keep you posted. We believe in God for a positive outcome with your supplications to God.”

The Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel had its inaugural sitting on Monday and a continuation of the pre-hearing trial on Wednesday.

The PDP and Atiku are contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect in the petition with the file number CA/PEPC/05/2023.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Bola Tinubu, and the APC are listed as the petition’s first through third respondents, respectively.

Chris Uche SAN, the petitioners’ attorney, noted during Tuesday’s sessions that they had filed and served a motion dated May 7th asking for a live broadcast of the presidential tribunal proceeding.