The Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, originally situated in Lokoja, has been relocated to Abuja by Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal. This move comes amidst growing concerns for the safety and security of tribunal staff following a series of attacks and security threats.
According to a statement released by David Umar Mike, the tribunal’s secretary, all proceedings will now take place at the National Judicial Institute on Umar Yar’Adua Way in Abuja. The statement emphasized the importance of this venue change for all litigants involved in the tribunal’s proceedings.
Although the statement did not explicitly specify the reason for the relocation, a reliable inside source revealed that security concerns were the primary driving force behind this decision. The source disclosed that tribunal staff had been targeted in multiple violent attacks in Lokoja, prompting the urgent need to safeguard their well-being.
The source recounted a recent harrowing incident where tribunal officials were ambushed and robbed while en route to the office. The assailants seized valuable documents, including copies of petitions, official receipts, and procedural materials. In addition to the theft, the staff endured personal attacks, exacerbating the already precarious working conditions.
“Generally, thugs are frustrating the job and the lives of our officials are at stake, making it difficult to work there,” the source remarked, underscoring the pervasive atmosphere of intimidation and danger that has permeated the tribunal’s operations in Lokoja.
By relocating the tribunal to Abuja, the hope is to mitigate the security risks and create a more conducive environment for the fair and unhindered pursuit of justice. This decision marks a significant juncture in the ongoing Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, seeking to ensure the safety and integrity of the legal process.
The move to Abuja not only underscores the paramount importance of security but also reflects the proactive measures taken to uphold the rule of law and protect the dedicated officials involved in the pursuit of justice.
