Abuja, March 17, 2025 – Civil society organisations, human rights groups, and concerned citizens staged a peaceful protest in Abuja on Monday, marching from the National Assembly Complex to the Supreme Court to express concerns over the judiciary crisis in Benue State.

Protest Against Alleged Tribunal Hijack

The demonstrators carried banners condemning the alleged hijack of the Benue Local Government Election Tribunal by certain politicians. They called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to intervene and remove corrupt judges from the judiciary.

Speaking to journalists, the convener of the protest, Igwe Ude-Umanta, urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to restore justice in Benue State.

“Today, we are here as concerned Nigerians who believe in the rule of law. Our democracy is in clear danger, and the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, must save it,” Ude-Umanta said.

“The Benue situation is the worst at the moment because the petitioners did not even participate in any process of the election,” he added.

Tribunal Relocation Sparks Controversy

The judicial crisis in Benue began after the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpembese, ordered the relocation of the tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja due to insecurity concerns.

However, a Federal High Court in Makurdi countered the decision, directing that the election petition tribunal should hold in Benue State.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) then approached the FCT High Court in Abuja, seeking to have the panel relocated as earlier ordered. On Friday, March 15, the FCT High Court granted the request, instructing the tribunal to continue sitting at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja and restraining it from holding proceedings in Benue.

Call for Judicial Reforms

The protesters insisted that the relocation of the tribunal and conflicting court orders threaten democracy and the rule of law. They urged authorities to prioritise fairness, transparency, and public confidence in the judicial system.

The Supreme Court has yet to issue an official response regarding the protest.