The All Progressives Congress has secured an order of a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, for the relocation of the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal and Appeal Tribunal to Abuja.

Benue State APC Chairman, Augustine Agada and, Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun and the party itself had through their counsel, Anderson Asemota, filed a motion ex parte dated March 11, 2025 before Justice M.M. Adamu for the relocation of the tribunal to Abuja.

The defendants are Chairmen of Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, Zones A, B and C, Justices Ityouyimen, D.E. Igoh and M.M Odinya respectively and 15 others.

The Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpembese, had earlier ordered the relocation of the tribunal from Makurdi to Nigeria Bar Association House, Abuja due to insecurity.

But the sitting of the panel which should have started in Abuja on March 10 was put on hold due to a restraining order by a Federal High Court, sitting in Makurdi.

The court directed that the election petition tribunal should hold in Benue State, against Justice Ikpembese’s ruling.

However, the APC approached the FCT High Court in Abuja with a prayer that the panel be relocated to Abuja as earlier ordered by the Benue Chief Judge.

Granting the prayer on Friday, Justice Adamu directed the tribunal to continue to conduct its sitting at the NBA House in Abuja.

The court also restrained the tribunal from sitting Benue State.

The case was adjourned to April 29, 2025 for hearing of the Motion on Notice.

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