The planned sitting of the Benue Local Government Election Petition Tribunal at the NBA House, Abuja was aborted on Monday by an order of the Makurdi Division of the Federal High Court restraining it from sitting outside the state.

The dramatic twist played out shortly after the tribunal was set to commence sitting at the NBA House, Abuja, with all the petitioners, respondents, lawyers, and journalists in attendance.

The sitting was aborted after the certified true copies (CTC) of the enrolled ex parte order were served on members of the tribunal by a court bailiff from the Makurdi Division of the Federal High Court, who had arrived at the venue of the tribunal in the early hours of Monday.

Following the service of the restraining order on them, members of the tribunal, who were equally listed as respondents, announced their decision not to proceed further in strict obedience to the order of the court.

Speaking after the development, both Yahaha Dangana (SAN), Ocha Ulegede, and Anthony Ijohor (SAN) confirmed that an order of a Federal High Court had been served on the members of the tribunal restraining them from sitting outside Abuja or any other place outside Benue State.

Justice Peter Egbe of the Makurdi Division of the Federal High Court had, in an ex parte motion, restrained the tribunal from holding at the NBA House, Abuja, or any other venue outside the state.

The motion, marked FHC/MKD/CS/84/2025, was filed by the Attorney General of Benue State, the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), and 24 others.

The suit Is a direct fallout of the standoff between the Benue State Government and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, who had directed the relocation of the tribunal sitting from Benue to Abuja.

Specifically, the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, had in a circular dated 4th March 2025 directed the relocation of all Local Government Election Petition Tribunals and the Appeal Tribunal from Benue to the NBA House, Abuja.

The circular, titled ‘Directive for the Immediate Relocation of the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunals to NBA House, Abuja,’ explained that the move was necessary due to security threats and an ongoing strike by the Benue State Judiciary Staff Union.

“In view of the prevailing security threats and the judiciary workers’ strike, it has become necessary to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of tribunal members, litigants, and counsel while facilitating smooth proceedings within the legally prescribed time frame,” the CJ stated.

However, in a counter move, the Attorney General of Benue State, the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), and 24 others filed and obtained an ex parte order restraining the tribunal from sitting in Abuja or any other place outside the state.

The tribunals are currently handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on 5th October 2024.

Reports indicate that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since 17th October 2024.

Tensions between the Benue State Government and the Chief Judge have been escalating in recent weeks. The Benue State House of Assembly, acting on a petition from Governor Hyacinth Alia, recently recommended Justice Ikpambese’s removal, a move that was resisted by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state has backed the Chief Judge’s decision to relocate the tribunals. (Daily Sun)