On Friday, the Supreme Court faced significant disruption as it issued its ruling on the governorship election disputes from Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the court had scheduled August 23 for the final judgments related to the November 11, 2023, governorship elections overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, access to the courtroom was severely restricted, with police officers and private security from Halogen Security preventing entry. This led to confusion and disorder outside the court, as lawyers, litigants, journalists, and supporters of various candidates struggled to gain access.
By 1pm, the situation had worsened, with many journalists still unable to enter the courtroom, causing further unrest among supporters of the candidates.
A five-member panel, led by Justice Garba Lawal, was set to deliver judgments on petitions from Timipre Sylva of the APC in Bayelsa; Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP in Imo; and Murtala Ajaka of the SDP in Kogi. The petitioners are challenging the election results of Governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa (PDP), Hope Uzodinma of Imo (APC), and Usman Ododo of Kogi (APC).