Contrary to expectations that the Benue Local Government Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Tribunal will sit in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House Abuja, the planned sitting has been cancelled.
The tribunal suspended sittings after acknowledging receipt of a court order from the Federal High Court in Makurdi, which on Friday restrained the Benue Local Government Election Petition Tribunal from holding sessions at the NBA House, Abuja, or any other venue outside the State.
As directed by the Chief Judge of the State Maurice Ikpambese proceedings for the local government election petition tribunal seem to have relocated from Makurdi Benue’s administrative capital to the Nigerian Bar Association’s House in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory.
MUST READ: Court blocks relocation of Benue LG Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja
However Monday morning the day actual proceedings would have commenced all parties were notified of the Federal high court’s restraining order which tribunal chooses to honour.
On March 7th Justice RJ Egbe of the Federal high court issued a restraining order restraining panels from sitting outside of Benue and the NBA from allowing the use of its House in Abuja an order the tribunal has adhered to.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
