Supreme Court set to deliver verdicts in eight gubernatorial cases on January 12

With heightened security measures in place, the Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver crucial judgments in eight distinct legal battles related to gubernatorial elections on Friday, January 12, 2024. Governors in states such as Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross River, and Nasarawa will anxiously await the court’s decisions that could determine their political fate.

Tight security has been deployed around the Supreme Court premises, with personnel from various agencies, including the Department of State Service (DSS), Police, and Civil Defence Corps.

A notice issued by the apex court to political parties and their governorship candidates limits their representations to only two members from each party. Key political parties involved in the cases include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Counsels representing the governors have been instructed to bring only five lawyers from each chamber due to space constraints in the courtroom where the judgments will be delivered.

Notable legal practitioners, such as Chief Chris Adegboyega Awomolo, Paul Usoro, Ogwu James Onoja, Ahmed Raji, Kanu Agabi, Alex Izinyon, Abiodun Owonikoko, Tayo Oyetibo, John Yakubu Musa, and Kehinde Ogunwumiju, are expected to play crucial roles in the proceedings.

Less than 24 hours before the scheduled judgments, police security vehicles are already stationed along the roads leading to the court and the Villa Gate. DSS operatives will oversee the clearance process for individuals accessing the courtroom, supported by operatives from other agencies to control the crowd.

Journalists accredited by the Supreme Court will be granted access to the courtroom and foyer based on the available seating capacity. The Deputy Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Malam Alfa Ahmed, confirmed that judgments in eight cases concerning gubernatorial elections would be delivered. He assured that the court has implemented proactive security measures to ensure a smooth and secure judgment delivery process.