Maduako Igbokwe l Wednesday, Dec.22, 2021
AWKA, Nigeria – Anambra State Gubernatorial Election Petitions Tribunal has been relocated from Awka to Ilorin capital of Kwara state. We gathered on Tuesday that the President of the Appeal Court Hon Justice Dongban Mensaem had directed the relocation of the tribunal to Kwara state .
Confirming the relocation, the Tribunal secretary Bar Surajo Gusau told our correspondent via phone in Awka Anambra state that he is already in ilorin
According to him, the directive came from the President of the Appeal Court Hon Justice Dongban Mensaem .
“The tribunal will now sit in Ilorin Kwara state and no longer Awka Anambra state” he said. Gusau also stated that no reason was given for the change of venue, stating that when reason is given, the petitioners and respondents as well as the media would be communicated .
It would be recalled that there had been stories making the rounds that the tribunal would be sitting in Abuja for fear of insecurity but was dismissed by the tribunal secretary. However, the tribunal judges are yet to hold the mandatory pre hearing conference.
The tribunal only made its first and only appearance last two weeks during an exparte motion when it struck out the petition filed by the candidate for the Accord party Dr Godwin Maduka and granted the applications by the duo of Prof Soludo and Sen Andy Uba for them to inspect materials used by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC during the election.
However, when contacted the Special Adviser to Gov Willie Obiano on political matters Bar Ifeatu Obiokoye said that team of the party’s lawyers have petitioned against the change of venue.
The Deputy Director, Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organization (SAUGCO) Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia said that the party would appeal against the relocation .
According to him, the party would have preferred a situation where it is moved to Abuja to enable parties participate without much stress.
“Abuja would have been the best place. All the parties in the suit have their offices in Abuja and will be easy for any to produce any material in Abuja than Ilorin. We will appeal against that very soon.” he said
