The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has officially announced its relocation from Benin City to Abuja.
A notice issued on January 24, 2025, and signed by Tribunal Secretary Mu’azu Bagudu, confirmed that all future sittings of the Tribunal would now take place at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, beginning Monday, January 27, 2025.
The decision follows earlier indications from the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, that there were considerations for the Tribunal’s venue to be moved due to logistical reasons.
The Tribunal had initially adjourned its sittings in Benin City, and the relocation will allow the continued hearing of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) petition on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
The Tribunal’s move to Abuja is expected to facilitate smoother proceedings, although questions have arisen about the potential impact on local access to the hearings.
This change is seen as part of efforts to ensure the election petition process remains fair and uninterrupted.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s National Caretaker Committee has expressed its intention to challenge the ongoing process by seeking to bring the case before the Supreme Court.
