Nigeria, Feb. 3 -- 1. Introduction

I am delighted at the invitation the organisers of this International Conference extended to me to share my thoughts on a subject that I consider apt and topical. To critically discuss the role of the Judiciary in determining the outcome of Elections in Nigeria would undoubtedly require more time than has been allotted to me. I have therefore taken the liberty to analyse some selected statutory provisions in the Constitution, the Electoral Act and landmark cases from the Second to the Fourth Republic to assess the courts' role in determining election petitions cases submitted for adjudication.

The judiciary's constitutional responsibility to determine the outcome of election cases has always elicited m...