The Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, which ought to begin sitting in Abuja, has been suspended indefinitely.
The tribunal took the decision to suspend its proceedings on Monday after acknowledging receipt of a court order from the Federal High Court in Makurdi.
The order which was issued on Friday restrained the Benue Local Government Election Petition Tribunal from holding sessions at the NBA House, Abuja, or any other venue outside the state.
Justice R.K. Egbe, who issued the order, stated that any plan to hold the tribunal at a venue outside Benue State should be suspended or put on hold pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The decision to adjourn indefinitely came just a few minutes after a protest broke out at the headquarters of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, where demonstrators condemned the Tribunal’s controversial relocation and demanded its immediate return to Benue State.
The protesters also demanded that no lawyer should represent any petitioner or respondent in the court.
Addressing newsmen at the NBA House, counsel to the respondents, Sunday Ameh, confirmed that the panel had informed them of their decision to suspend sitting in Abuja following the court order.
He said they were awaiting a new date for sitting.
The controversy over the tribunal venue
escalated last week after counsel wrote complaining about their and court officials’ safety.
The Chief judge of Benue High Court, Justice Maurice Anembe Ikpambese, announced the relocation of the tribunals last week in a statement signed by Abdullahi Eihoda Ibrahim, Esq., Deputy Chief Registrar Litigation[ for: Chief Registrar].
He had explained that it was to ensure the safety of the tribunal members, litigants, and the counsel.
According to the statement, “the Benue State local government election petition Tribunals in Zone °A,’ ‘B’ and ‘C’ were to resume sitting at the NBA House Abuja on Monday, the 10 March, 2025.”
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