Thugs reportedly invaded the Edo State High Court in Benin premises, attempting to disrupt the pre-hearing of petitions challenging the validity of the September 21 governorship election results.
The session was organised to address disputes over the election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Unidentified individuals reportedly targeted supporters of seven political parties opposing the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The incident occurred outside the courtroom, prompting swift intervention from security forces, who secured the court entrance and set up roadblocks on nearby routes to restore order.
A video circulating on social media depicts scenes of individuals suspected to be thugs chasing people in different directions outside the court.
INEC had on September 22, announced APC candidate Monday Okpebholo as the election winner, with 291,667 votes. His victory was contested by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata, who secured 22,763 votes.
The PDP and six other parties filed petitions to the tribunal, seeking to overturn the results. The PDP, specifically, has urged the tribunal to nullify the election outcome and declare Ighodalo as the rightful winner.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, will deliberate on seven petitions filed by the PDP, Labour Party, Accord Party, Alliance Party, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
