The Court of Appeal Complex, situated in the Three Arms Zone along Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District of Abuja, is currently under heightened security as the Presidential Election Petition Court prepares to deliver its judgment.
Additionally, there has been an extensive security presence at the entry routes to the Federal Capital Territory’s satellite towns leading to the city centre.
Armed soldiers and military personnel have set up checkpoints, causing some commuters to experience delays. This increased security presence persists despite the ongoing NLC warning strike, which is in its final day.
The Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment on three cases challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on February 25.
This decision comes approximately a month after the court heard the closing arguments from the parties involved in the petitions and only two weeks before the expiration of the statutory 180-day timeframe for hearing and determining cases filed in March.
The five-member panel of the court, led by Haruna Tsammani, had reserved judgment on the petitions after concluding the closing arguments in early August.
Multiple security operatives from various branches, including the armed forces, police, Department of State Service (DSS), and the Civil Defence, are currently stationed along all routes leading to the Court of Appeal Complex. Similar security formations are in place within the court complex itself.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Chief Registrar of the Court, Mr. Umar Bangari, assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the smooth and secure delivery of judgment in the three pending petitions. He explained that access to the courtroom will be restricted, allowing only invited members of political parties and the general public to enter to prevent congestion and security breaches.
Furthermore, media outlets interested in broadcasting the judgment live will be permitted to do so at no cost to the court.
As of 7.30 a.m., security personnel were conducting checks on lawyers and journalists entering the premises. Key government buildings, including the Federal Secretariat, the National Assembly Complex, and the access points to the Presidential Villa, were heavily guarded by security personnel.
The three petitions challenging President Tinubu’s victory were filed separately by Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), receiving 8.8 million votes, defeating 17 other candidates in a largely competitive race.
Atiku secured second place with 6,984,520 votes, followed by Obi with a total of 6,101,533 votes, according to INEC’s official results.
