Report reaching METROWATCHXTRA.COM indicates that the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) sitting in Abuja, has prohibited the use of phones and other gadgets in the courtroom.
A notice with the caption, ‘Read Me’ pasted boldly on the court premises and sighted at the resumption of the court session, on Saturday, said, ”Phones and other gadgets are not allowed in the courtroom. Thank you as you comply.”
Although the reason behind the sudden ban was not immediately clear, however, Secretary of the Tribunal announced that starting from Monday, no phones will be allowed into the courtroom.
She said she was only following “instructions” but refused to state the reason behind the sudden ban.
Commenting on the development, a human rights activist expressed shock and disappointment over the court’s action, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.
“Why are they trying to restrict phones? As far as I know, you can put your phone on silent and not distract the court. Is there some secret they don’t want us to know?
“The court is made for the public, it’s not a secret house.”
The PEPC is entertaining petitions from Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential election, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, against the election of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
More details later…
