By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has announced its relocation from Benin City to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Although no reason was given for the relocation, METROWATCH reports that Tribunal has witnessed escalating security concerns arising from repeated attacks by political thugs.
In a notice dated January 24, 2025, and signed by the Tribunal Secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu, Esq., sighted by METROWATCH, parties to the case were informed of the relocation.
The notice read in part: “I am directed to notify all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, effective from Monday, 27th January, 2025.”
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.
Meanwhile, thugs had disrupted tribunal sessions on multiple occasions, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity inside its High Court premises location.
In one incident, a lone gunman wearing a branded campaign T-shirt and fez cap, stormed a street adjacent to the Court, and chanting provocative slogans in support of the PDP and Ighodalo, firing sporadic shots into the air.
A legal practitioner representing the APC and Governor Okpebholo condemned the attacks as “a brazen attempt to undermine the rule of law and judicial independence.”
Speaking under the condition of anonymity, the counsel noted that the intimidation tactics were designed to discourage the Tribunal from delivering an unbiased verdict.
“The PDP and its agents are resorting to violence because they know they have no strong case before the Tribunal. This is an affront to democracy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PDP has denied any involvement in the attacks.
A spokesperson for the party described the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated,” accusing the APC of attempting to divert attention from the substantive issues before the Tribunal.
