The Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, originally situated in Lokoja, has been relocated to Abuja, the nation’s capital. This decision was conveyed by Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, and has implications for the ongoing legal proceedings in the state.
In a statement released by David Umar Mike, the secretary of the tribunal, it was disclosed that the tribunal’s proceedings will now take place at the National Judicial Institute, located on Umar Yar’Adua Way, Abuja. Litigants involved in the tribunal were advised to take note of this significant venue change.
Although the statement did not explicitly specify the rationale behind the relocation, a credible source associated with the tribunal cited “security reasons” as the underlying cause. According to the source, the safety of the tribunal’s personnel and the integrity of its operations had been jeopardized in Lokoja, prompting the imperative need for a change in location.
The source elaborated on the dire situation, revealing that the tribunal’s staff had fallen victim to targeted attacks in Lokoja. Recounting a recent harrowing incident, the source disclosed that armed assailants had violently accosted tribunal officials, robbing them of vital documents and personal possessions. This brazen attack not only compromised the security of the tribunal’s personnel but also resulted in the loss of critical legal materials essential for the proceedings.
“Thugs are making it exceedingly challenging for us to carry out our duties effectively,” the source lamented, painting a disconcerting picture of the pervasive lawlessness that has marred the tribunal’s operations in Lokoja. The continuous threats and acts of violence have not only impeded the tribunal’s functionality but also endangered the lives of its officials, rendering it unfeasible to continue operating in the region.
The decision to relocate the tribunal to Abuja underscores the gravity of the security concerns and the determination to ensure the unhindered and secure conduct of the legal proceedings. It serves as a pivotal development in the quest to uphold the sanctity of the judiciary and safeguard the rights of all parties involved in the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
This relocation not only reflects a strategic response to the prevailing security challenges but also reiterates the unwavering commitment to delivering justice in an environment free from intimidation and violence. As the tribunal transitions to its new venue in the capital city, it endeavors to surmount the obstacles that have beset its operations, ensuring that the pursuit of justice remains undeterred.
In this repositioning, the tribunal seeks to affirm its resilience in the face of adversity, signaling a renewed determination to fulfill its mandate despite the disruptive forces that have sought to derail the pursuit of justice. As it forges ahead in Abuja, the tribunal remains steadfast in its pursuit of truth and fairness, resolute in its mission to adjudicate the electoral grievances with impartiality and integrity.
In the wake of this momentous relocation, the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal is poised to navigate the complexities of legal proceedings in a more secure environment, upholding the principles of transparency, equity, and due process. This pivotal shift to Abuja is not merely a change in location, but a profound assertion of the tribunal’s unwavering dedication to dispense justice uninhibited by external threats, ensuring that the aspirations of justice persist undaunted.
