The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which is sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated from Benin City to Abuja due to alleged security concerns. The announcement was made by the tribunal secretary, Muazu Bagudu, after a PDP data analyst and expert witness stormed the court to give
The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which is sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated from Benin City to Abuja due to alleged security concerns.
The announcement was made by the tribunal secretary, Muazu Bagudu, after a PDP data analyst and expert witness stormed the court to give multiple pieces of evidence in support of the massive rigging that took place in favour of APC in the September 21st governorship election in Edo State.
Despite objections and protests from the respondents’ counsel, who were clearly intimidated by the volume of evidence presented by the expert witness before the tribunal, the star witness proceeded to adopt his written statements on oath.
After giving his testimony, which lasted for hours, counsel to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondents refused to start cross-examination and pleaded for an adjournment because they were ill-prepared to take on the expert witness.
The tribunal agreed to the adjournment in the interest of a fair hearing but indicated that this would be the last court session to be held in Benin.
Bagudu confirmed in a statement that the tribunal would resume sittings at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, effective Monday, 27 January, 2025.
“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), effective from Monday, January 27, 2025. For further enquiries, contact the secretary,” the statement read.
Sources within the court revealed that the decision to relocate the tribunal was made by the President of the Court of Appeal, citing security concerns around the tribunal’s premises on Sapele Road, Benin City.
The tribunal has been hearing petitions related to the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State, which has sparked intense legal battles.
Since the tribunal began sitting, there have been reports of disturbances and witness intimidation. It is believed that a more neutral venue, without the influence of an interested party controlling the state, would serve the interests of justice better.
Stakeholders are concerned about the relocation, but the judiciary has previously taken similar measures. Even though the parties’ supporters frequently mobilise at neutral venues, their disturbances are not as severe as they were at the previous venue.
We expect the petitioners and respondents to adapt to the new location in order to expedite the resolution of the ongoing cases.
The tribunal will resume sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, a former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Mr. John Mayaki, has commended the relocation of the tribunal to Abuja.
Reacting to the news, in a statement, Mayaki said, “This decision will guarantee the safety of the members of the tribunal, litigants, and the electoral materials that will be used as evidence at the tribunal.
Relocating election petition tribunals when necessary is not a novel concept. I remember vividly similar relocations of the Ebonyi Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja, as well as those of Adamawa, Osun, Rivers, Kogi, and Ekiti, among others.”
Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *