By Comfort Olayinka
The Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has suspended its proceedings indefinitely.
DAILY POST gathered that the tribunal took the decision after acknowledging receipt of a court order from the Federal High Court in Makurdi, which 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.
His Lordship, Justice R.K. Egbe, held 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 since the Chief Judge of Benue State “insists on illegality and his actions are tantamount to destroying the judiciary with his trivial sentiment above justice.”
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 await a new date for sitting.
Recall that Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, had directed residents to stay away from the venues of the ongoing local government election petition tribunals in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo, citing security concerns.
Alia said the directive was aimed at ensuring the safety of judges, lawyers, petitioners, and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings.
To reinforce security, Alia also banned protests, unauthorized gatherings, and commercial activities such as hawking around the tribunal venues.
“In the interest of maintaining law and order, His Excellency has prohibited any form of protest, unauthorized assembly, or business activities within and around the tribunal venues. Anyone found violating this directive will face legal consequences,” the governor had warned.
The tribunals are currently handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
Reports indicate that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.
