Protesters packed the Nigerian Bar Association headquarters in Abuja on Monday. They rallied against moving the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal to the capital city. Activists and everyday citizens made their voices heard about keeping legal matters inside Benue State. They directed their frustration at a decision from the state's highest legal authority.
Benue State Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese had previously ordered the tribunal relocated from Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo. He signed papers claiming safety issues around those original locations made the move necessary. Yet a Federal High Court judge named R.K. Egbe recently blocked this plan. The court ordered that nobody should hold tribunal meetings at the NBA House in Abuja until further notice.
Dr. Alfred Gbaja and Comrade David Okpanachi led the demonstration, which included singing and carrying signs. The crowd accused Justice Ikpambese of working against fair legal processes and breaking established rules. Everyone there promised they wouldn't stop their actions until officials returned the tribunal to Benue State exactly as the law required.
Okpanachi mentioned they had earlier warned about Justice Ikpambese's hidden plans. He explained that election laws clearly state anyone filing complaints must have joined the actual election process. The current people filing cases never participated because APC national leaders had changed the Benue leadership structure months ago. Many worry this situation creates a dangerous example for courts across Nigeria.
The demonstrators questioned how other countries might view Nigeria when a top judge ignores legal boundaries. They called themselves fighters for justice and proper government processes. They believe accepting cases from non-participants and then repeatedly changing locations breaks fundamental rules. Moving outside state boundaries crosses a clear legal line that almost everyone recognizes.
The protesters argued that the Bar Association should stand against rule-breaking and court order violations. If meetings happen at NBA House despite clear court instructions, they feel the legal organization has failed its duty. They asked all lawyers to boycott these proceedings as long as the current situation continues. The group promised to keep showing up at both the NBA building and the National Judicial Council headquarters until officials fix the problem.
Benue State Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese had previously ordered the tribunal relocated from Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo. He signed papers claiming safety issues around those original locations made the move necessary. Yet a Federal High Court judge named R.K. Egbe recently blocked this plan. The court ordered that nobody should hold tribunal meetings at the NBA House in Abuja until further notice.
Dr. Alfred Gbaja and Comrade David Okpanachi led the demonstration, which included singing and carrying signs. The crowd accused Justice Ikpambese of working against fair legal processes and breaking established rules. Everyone there promised they wouldn't stop their actions until officials returned the tribunal to Benue State exactly as the law required.
Okpanachi mentioned they had earlier warned about Justice Ikpambese's hidden plans. He explained that election laws clearly state anyone filing complaints must have joined the actual election process. The current people filing cases never participated because APC national leaders had changed the Benue leadership structure months ago. Many worry this situation creates a dangerous example for courts across Nigeria.
The demonstrators questioned how other countries might view Nigeria when a top judge ignores legal boundaries. They called themselves fighters for justice and proper government processes. They believe accepting cases from non-participants and then repeatedly changing locations breaks fundamental rules. Moving outside state boundaries crosses a clear legal line that almost everyone recognizes.
The protesters argued that the Bar Association should stand against rule-breaking and court order violations. If meetings happen at NBA House despite clear court instructions, they feel the legal organization has failed its duty. They asked all lawyers to boycott these proceedings as long as the current situation continues. The group promised to keep showing up at both the NBA building and the National Judicial Council headquarters until officials fix the problem.
