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Benue LGs polls tribunals: Lawyers raise security concerns during court proceedings 

3 hours ago 21

Lawyers representing respondents in various local government election petitions in Benue state have expressed concerns about the safety of their teams and clients, citing potential security threats.

However, the Benue State Chief Judge, Maurice Ikpambese, has ordered continuation of sitting of election petition tribunal despite disruptions of the tribunal on February 19, 2025 and the concerns raised by the lawyers who called for adjournment.

Replying through a letter by  the Chief Registrar, the Chief Judge, Franca N. Yuwa, Esq, said after reporting the incident to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 4, Makurdi, adequate security had been provided for sitting to continue.

The letter noted that the AIG had taken over security at the High Court of Justice, ensuring the safety of tribunal judges, staff, lawyers, and the general public.

The letter directed that any letters calling for the suspension of the tribunal sitting be disregarded.

It said that the tribunal would continue its sitting at its respective venues, ensuring the maintanance of the rule of law and that election petitions were heard without interruption.

In three separate letters to the Chairman of the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal, Tuesday in Makurdi, lawyers representing respondents in various local government election petitions had requested that the tribunal sittings scheduled to continue from February 24, 2025, be adjourned until adequate security measures are put in place.

The lawyers, S.I. Ameh (SAN) & Co., Ndarani (SAN) & Co., and Matthew Burkaa & Co., highlighted the “brewing tensed security situation” around court premises and within the state in recent days.

They emphasised that their teams and clients would be at risk if they attended the tribunal sittings as scheduled.

The lawyers requested that the tribunal took immediate steps to beef up security arrangements and adjourn the sittings to a later date when necessary security measures were in place.

They expressed optimism that their requests would be given due consideration.

The development came amid ongoing concerns about the removal of the Benue Chief Judge and independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in Nigeria.

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