Kogi governorship election tribunal moved to Abuja over ‘security concerns’

Monica Dongban-Mensem, president of the court of appeal, has relocated the Kogi governorship election petitions tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja.

According to NAN, a statement by David Mike, secretary of the tribunal, said proceedings would now be conducted at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Umaru Yar’Adua Way, Abuja.

Although the statement was silent on the reason behind the relocation, a source at the tribunal who spoke with NAN said the move was necessary for “security reasons”.

The source said members of staff of the tribunal had been attacked on several occasions in Lokoja.

“Generally, thugs are frustrating the job and the lives of our officials are at stake, making it difficult to work there,” the source was quoted to have said.

In a statement on Wednesday, William Aya, police spokesperson in the state, confirmed that the tribunal secretary was waylaid on Monday on his way to work while the gunmen made away with petition documents filed by four political parties.

The affected political parties include Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Two record books and a bag containing the secretary’s personal items were also stolen at gunpoint.

On December 1, gunmen attacked the residence of the Kogi electoral commissioner in Lokoja and engaged security operatives in a gun duel.