The Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has announced its decision to relocate from Benin City to Abuja, effective Monday, due to security concerns.
In a notice released on Friday by its Secretary, Mua’azu Bagudu, it was confirmed that the tribunal will now hold its sessions at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), located on Airport Road in Abuja.
“I am directed to notify all parties that the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Benin City has been relocated to Abuja,” Bagudu said in the statement.
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The secretary also provided his contact number, 08037200013, for any inquiries from parties involved in the case.
A reliable source within the court, on condition of anonymity, revealed that the relocation was ordered by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem. The source attributed the decision to growing tension and security concerns at the tribunal’s Benin City location.
This comes after an incident on January 15, when a gunman, believed to be a political thug, fired shots in the vicinity of the court, shouting “give us our mandate.”
The relocation notice follows the testimony of a data forensic expert called by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2024 election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
The PDP and Ighodalo, who are petitioners in the case, are challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
TheLeadng had reported how sporadic gunshots interrupted the tribunal session.
