The court that handles governorship election disputes for Edo State (Election Petitions Tribunal) has moved its operations from Benin City to Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.
The Tribunal will now hold its operations at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.
However, no explanation was given in the notice sent to the parties involved.
In a notice dated January 24, 2025, and signed by the Tribunal Secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu, Esq., parties to the case were informed of the change.
The notice read in part: “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), Airport Road, Abuja, effective from Monday, 27th January 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 which will be used as evidence at the Tribunal.
“It is not new for election petition tribunals to be relocated when the need arises. 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.”
“I support whatever decision will engender neutrality, maintain impartiality, and ensure the security of this case and the members of the panel.
“Whatever measures are necessary to uphold the credibility of the judiciary and protect the integrity of the election petition process should always be embraced and commended.
“For me, this relocation is timely and goes a long way to show commitment to fairness and justice, free from local pressures and distractions,” Mayaki said
