Security Crisis Hits Kogi Guber Tribunal as Armed Men Steal Petitions; Venue Moves to Abuja

In response to heightened security concerns, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has ordered the immediate relocation of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja, the state capital, to Abuja. The National Judicial Institute in Abuja will now host the tribunal’s proceedings.

This decision follows reports from the Kogi State Police Command confirming the theft of petitions lodged by four political parties dissatisfied with the 11 November poll. The Secretary of the Election Petitions Tribunal, David Mike Umar, reported the incident, stating that he was robbed at gunpoint on Monday.

According to a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. William Anya, Mr. Umar and his colleagues were accosted by seven hooded, heavily armed men in black attire. The assailants blocked their car with SUVs, fired shots into the air, and forcibly took them out of the vehicle. The gunmen proceeded to ransack the car, making off with crucial documents, including petitions filed by Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, has ordered a thorough and diligent investigation into the incident. While urging all parties involved in the election to refrain from making statements that could prejudice the investigation, the police called on the public to provide any useful information related to the alleged attack.

The Election Petitions Tribunal’s relocation to Abuja underscores the gravity of the security concerns surrounding the case, reflecting a commitment to ensuring the integrity and safety of the electoral process in Kogi State. The police have assured that updates on the investigation will be shared with the public as progress is made.