In response to escalating security concerns, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal has directed the relocation of the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja.
This follows the recent attack on the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal by some unknown gunmen on Wednesday.
The Kogi tribunal’s proceedings will now take place at the National Judicial Institute on Umar Yar’Adua Way.
The decision, as indicated by the tribunal’s secretary, David Umar Mike, emphasises the necessity for litigants to acknowledge this venue change.
While the official statement did not explicitly cite the reason behind the relocation, a reliable source within the tribunal disclosed that “security reasons” were the primary motivator.
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The source highlighted a series of attacks on tribunal staff in Lokoja, with the latest incident occurring just last Monday.
“Just last Monday, tribunal officials were attacked on the way to the office. Armed men just pounced on the officials. They robbed them of everything. They took away all the documents that were in the car. Copies of petitions and personal belongings, official receipts, processes like subpoenas, and official stamps were all stolen.
“Generally, thugs are frustrating the job and the lives of our officials are at stake, making it difficult to work there,” the source emphasised. #Kogi