Henceforth, the police will be diverting traffic on all roads leading to the Court of Appeal Complex in Abuja, the Nigerian capital on the days the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal holds its sittings.
The roads to be affected are the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway and the Shehu Shagari Way that also leads to the Federal Secretariat Complex and Three Arms Zone where the National Assembly, Supreme Court and Presidential Villa are located in the capital city.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, DSP Anjuguri Manza says “the gesture is part of proactive measure to beef up security at the venue and forestall any act that could disrupt the Tribunal sitting and result in the breakdown of law and order; especially clash between supporters of both parties”.
The blockade of the roads was first observed during the last sitting of the Tribunal. There were also security checks for those allowed into the premises.
While apologising for the inconveniences the new development might cause those who ply the said routes, the Command advises members of the public to use alternative routes to their destinations as the Tribunal resumes sitting on Wednesday.
The Tribunal is expected to among other things consider the formal application by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar asking the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to step down as chairman of the Tribunal.
The PDP claims that the marital relationship between Justice Bulkachuwa and her husband who has been elected senator from Bauchi State on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may not allow her to be unbaised in her handling of the election petition by the party and its candidate.
@Dimensions_Live