Benue gov bans unauthorized protests at Courts

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has placed a ban against any form of unauthorized protest, gathering, or commercial activities such as hawking within and around court premises.

The Governor’s warning which was contained in a press statement signed  by his Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, said anyone found violating this directive will face legal consequences.

Note that last week APC lead lawyers in the three senatorial district of the State had raised an alarm of plot to attack the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal sitting, in the aftermath of the purported removal of the Chief Judge of the State Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

The Governor who noted that court premises in Benue State have remained closed since December 6, 2024 due to the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, directed that all individuals and groups refrain from carrying out any form of activity within or around the court premises until further notice.

While also, acknowledging that the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals are utilizing some court halls for their proceedings, he also recognized the time-bound nature of election petitions, maintaining that only the Election Petition Tribunals be allowed access to the designated court premises where they are sitting.