Edo election tribunal relocates to Abuja after shooting

The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has announced its relocation from Benin, the state capital, to Abuja, effective Monday, January 27, 2025.

The tribunal made this known via a statement issued by its secretary, Mua’azu Bagudu, on Friday, January 24.

Bagudu noted that the tribunal will now sit at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja.

“I am directed to notify all parties that the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Benin City has been relocated to Abuja,” Bagudu stated.

The secretary advised the parties involved in the case to contact him for further inquiries.

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Meanwhile, a reliable source in the court disclosed that the relocation was at the instance of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.

The source, who preferred anonymity, attributed the development to tension and feelings of insecurity at the premises of the tribunal in Benin.

A gunman suspected to be a political thug was seen shooting sporadically in the court area on January 15, saying “give us our mandate”.

The notice, however, came shortly after a data forensic expert called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2024 election, Dr Asue Ighodalo, testified before the three-man panel.

The PDP and Ighodalo, who are petitioners in the case, are challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Star