In anticipation of a pivotal judgment in the legal battle over the Nasarawa State Governorship election, the Court of Appeal in Abuja is now enveloped in heavy security, with all roads leading to the Court cordoned off by heavily armed personnel from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Civil Defense Corps.
The security lockdown has prompted the diversion of both private and commercial vehicles that usually traverse the Federal Secretariat roads.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is working diligently to manage the resulting heavy traffic caused by the road blockade.
The court management reportedly implemented these security measures to prevent any potential breakdown of law following the forthcoming judgment.
As of the latest report, anyone entering the court premises, including staff, lawyers, litigants, and journalists, is undergoing thorough screening at the main gate.
Despite several journalists being accredited for coverage, only five are allowed into the courtroom. An official cited insufficient seating capacity and the need for crowd control as reasons for this limitation.
Our correspondent noted that only a handful of accredited political party officials and their supporters, who arrived as early as 8 a.m., have been granted access to the court premises. Others are being kept at a distance by armed mobile policemen.
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The intense legal battle revolves around the incumbent governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his opponent, David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had previously nullified Governor Sule’s election in a majority decision, citing a failure to secure the majority of lawful votes cast during the March 18 gubernatorial election.
The tribunal declared Ombugadu, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the rightful winner.
At present, the justices are waiting for the delivery of this crucial judgment.