The Edo State governorship election petitions tribunal has relocated from Benin City to Abuja.
In a notice issued on Friday by its Secretary, Mua’zu Bagudu,the tribunal will now sit at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, from Monday.
“I am directed to notify all parties that the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Benin City has been relocated to Abuja,” he stated.
A source in the court told journalists on Friday that the relocation was at the instance of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.
He said the decision was taken to check tension and feelings of insecurity at the tribunals sitting in Benin.
Gunmen suspected to be political thugs were seen shooting sporadically in the court area on January 15, saying “give us our mandate.
The shortly after a data forensic expert called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the September 2024 election, Asue Ighodalo, testified before the panel.
The petitioners are challenging the announcement of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).