The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has introduced its relocation from Benin Metropolis to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
LEADERSHIP understands that the relocation is probably not unconnected to political clashes between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Get together (PDP) throughout the sittings of the tribunal.
Events to the case have been knowledgeable of the relocation via a discover dated January 24, 2025 and signed by the Tribunal’s Secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu, Esq.
“I’m directed to inform all events that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja on the Nationwide Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Highway, Abuja, efficient from Monday, twenty seventh January, 2025,” the discover learn.
It was learnt that violent assaults, persistent intimidation and disruptions by political thugs prompted the relocation of the tribunal to the nation’s capital.
This newspaper remembers that thugs had disrupted tribunal classes on a number of events, creating an environment of concern and insecurity inside its Excessive Court docket premises location of the tribunal.
In a single incident, a lone gunman carrying marketing campaign T-shirt and face cap stormed a avenue adjoining the courtroom, chanting provocative slogans in help of a governorship candidate whereas firing sporadic photographs into the air.
