The Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has suspended its proceedings indefinitely.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Basil-Momodu-Esq1.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.
“History of Rivers State Judiciary: A Compendium of Personalities on the Bench.” Authored by Ampim Gogo Blankson, Esq., Deputy Director at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Rivers State Judiciary
💰 Cover Price: ₦20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira)
Bukky Law Books, Rivers State High Court Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt – 📞 08034868754📞 08034729738📞 Enquiries:
______________________________________________________________________
Explore Nigeria’s Constitutional System — 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
In this authoritative work, Basil Momodu Esq., titled Police Investigations in Nigeria Through the Cases 📖 Available now Call 07051822705 or any of the recommended independent booksellers listed hereunder.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com
