By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi
The Ebonyi State Election Petition Tribunal has been shutdown and ordered to immediately relocate to the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal, Monica Mensem.
The Voice gathered that the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal, Monica Mensem gave the directive which was announced by the Secretary of the Tribunal, Nyior Henry Sekulla on Wednesday at the Election petition Tribunal office, Ebonyi State Judiciary Headquarters in Abakaliki.
This directive according to Mr. Sekulla has forced the shutdown of all procedures relating to matters before the Tribunal which will continue 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”.
While the reason for moving the Tribunal to Abuja was not disclosed by Mr. Henry, he noted that the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal and that of another state were also affected.
