UMUAHIA, Nigeria — Journalists were prevented from covering the proceedings of the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Umuahia on Thursday, September 7, 2023, where a judgment is expected in the case between the immediate past Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, and the current member representing Ikwuano-Umuahia federal constituency, Hon Obi Aguocha.
Armed personnel from the Department of State Services, DSS, were deployed at the High Court premises in Umuahia, where they controlled access to the courtroom.
According to eyewitness accounts, only legal practitioners and representatives of the involved parties were allowed entry.
One of our correspondents, attempting to gain access to the courtroom, was turned away by a DSS official who stated that it was a directive from the Chairman of the three-man panel overseeing the case.
The suit has been filed by the former Speaker, Chinedum Orji, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He is seeking the nullification of Aguocha’s election on multiple grounds.
One of the main points of contention is Aguocha’s participation in the PDP primaries before his shift to the Labour Party.
“Given the nature of the case and the high-profile figures involved, one would expect the proceedings to be open to the media to ensure transparency. The exclusion of journalists from the courtroom raises serious concerns,” says Abigail Akinloye, a legal analyst.
Amidst the heightened security and restricted access, crowds of interested persons have been gathering outside the court premises, eagerly awaiting the outcome of this pivotal trial.
The opacity surrounding the proceedings has fueled speculation and worry among observers.
“Transparency is the cornerstone of justice, and barring journalists from a public proceeding seems to violate that principle,” says Prof. Tunde Olanrewaju, a political science scholar.
As the nation awaits the outcome of this crucial case, questions continue to swirl around the circumstances that have led to a closed-door tribunal.
The decision to exclude the media not only underscores the tension surrounding this case but also puts a spotlight on the need for judicial transparency in Nigeria.
For now, all eyes—those permitted and those barred—are on the courtroom in Umuahia, where the judgment could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Abia State and, by extension, Nigeria as a whole.
