Appeal Court orders relocation of Ebonyi Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja

The Ebonyi State Election Petition Tribunal has been directed to relocate to Federal Capital Territory Abuja with immediate effect.

Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal, Monica Mensem gave the directive.

Secretary of the Tribunal, Nyior Henry Sekulla announced this in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

He said that following the directive the election petition Tribunal office at the Ebonyi State Judiciary Headquarters in Abakaliki has shut down. According to him, all processes relating to matters before the Tribunal will continue at Abuja.

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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 the reason for the decision to move the Tribunal to Abuja, Mr Henry said it is 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 is also affected. Ends