The Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja, was chosen as the new location for the Ebonyi State Election Petition Tribunal, which had been operating out of Abakaliki.
According to reports, Monica Mensem, the president of the Court of Appeal, issued the directive.
On Wednesday, Nyior Henry Sekulla, the Tribunal’s secretary, made an announcement in Abakaliki.
He claimed that as a result of the decision, the election petition tribunal office at the Abakaliki-based Ebonyi State Judiciary Headquarters remained shut as of Wednesday.
He claims that all proceedings pertaining to the Tribunal’s cases will resume in Abuja.
He said: “The Honourable Justice Monica Dongban Mensem, President Court of Appeal – HPCA has through the Deputy Chief Registrar, Election Petition Tribunal (EPT) Headquarters Abuja, directed the relocation of EPT sitting here to FCT Abuja”
“Therefore, in compliance with the HPCA directives, the petitioners, counsel to parties and general public is hereby informed via this medium that, the EPT sitting here in Abakaliki thereby cease to operate in Abakaliki as at 26-04-23; filings of processes, taking of proceedings etc. shall henceforth continue at Abuja.”
On reason for the decision to move the Tribunal to Abuja, Mr Henry said it was not within his powers to speak on the reasons.
He, however, noted that the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal and that of one other state was also affected.