Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has imposed a ban on protests and other gatherings within court premises, effective immediately.
This directive was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, in Makurdi.
The statement clarified that only local election petition tribunals would be permitted to continue their proceedings, given the urgency of their cases.
Governor Alia pointed out that courts in the state have been closed since December 6, 2024, due to the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
“As a result, individuals and groups are prohibited from conducting any activities within or around the court premises until further notice,” the statement read. “While election petition tribunals are making use of certain court halls, access will be strictly limited to them due to the time-sensitive nature of their work.”
The governor assured that necessary security measures have been put in place to protect tribunal officials, legal representatives, petitioners, respondents, witnesses, and other stakeholders involved in the proceedings.
He also announced a ban on protests, unauthorized gatherings, and commercial activities such as street vending around court premises, warning that violators would face legal consequences.
Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that tribunal proceedings continue without disruption.
He called on residents to remain calm and patient as they await the tribunal’s decisions.
He further emphasized that while Benue State has experienced relative peace since he assumed office, his administration remains dedicated to strengthening security and maintaining stability across the state.