The Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has suspended its proceedings indefinitely.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
The tribunal, it was gathered, took the decision 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.
Justice R.K. Egbe held that any plan to hold the tribunal at a venue outside Benue State should be suspended or put on hold pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The decision to adjourn indefinitely came just a few minutes after a protest broke out at the headquarters of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja where demonstrators condemned the Tribunal’s controversial relocation and demanded its immediate return to Benue State.
The protesters also demanded that no lawyer should represent any petitioner or respondent in the court.
Addressing newsmen at the NBA House, counsel to the respondents, Sunday Ameh, confirmed that the panel had informed them of their decision to suspend sitting in Abuja following the court order.
He said they await a new date for sitting.
Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia, had directed residents to stay away from the venues of the ongoing local government election petition tribunals in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo, citing security concerns.
Alia said the directive was aimed at ensuring the safety of judges, lawyers, petitioners, and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings.
To reinforce security, Alia also banned protests, unauthorised gatherings, and commercial activities such as hawking around the tribunal venues.
“In the interest of maintaining law and order, His Excellency has prohibited any form of protest, unauthorized assembly, or business activities within and around the tribunal venues. Anyone found violating this directive will face legal consequences,” the Governor had warned.
The tribunals are handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
Reports indicated that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, 📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com
______________________________________________________________________
The books are available for purchase at:
Online: www.educodex.com | www.selar.com | www.amazon.com | www.mikeozekhome.com
Enquiries: +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532
Email: educodexl@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________
Explore Nigeria’s Constitutional System — 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
