28th April, 2023
By Uchenna Ugwu
The Labour Party (LP) has described the relocation of Ebonyi state Election Petitions Tribunal (EPT) from Abakaliki, the state capital to Abuja as worrisome.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Wednesday directed the tribunal to relocate to Abuja immediately.
However, Ebonyi Chairman of Labour Party, Mr Godwin Jioke, expressed concern over the relocation order.
Jioke said Labour Party is not comfortable with the decision to relocate the Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja.
He consequently asked that the decision should be rescinded.
“We are not comfortable with the cessation of operation and decision of moving the EPT sitting to Abuja.
“The decision has to be reconsidered and allow matters to be handled in the state where elections took place,” Jioke said.
Mr Sylvester Amah, a Legal Practitioner, said there could be reasons for the relocation, ranging from insecurity, logistics and funding.
“The team of the tribunal could be looking for a neutral environment where political parties would not claim ownership of the process.
“Yes, I okayed the relocation and I believe it will allow all processes relating to the matters before the tribunal to gain equity, fair hearing and justice.
“It will be fair hearing and justice. It will also avoid laying claims, interference and perversion of justice,” Amah said.
(NAN)