The Supreme Court is under tight security as it begins to hear the three petitions challenging the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Heavily armed security personnel have cordoned off the court to prevent access for unaccredited lawyers and litigants. Our correspondent has observed that even from the main gate of the highest court, individuals without direct involvement in the cases are being turned away.
Only lawyers representing Tinubu, under the leadership of Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, those representing Atiku Abubakar, led by Chris Uche SAN, and lawyers for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Abubakar Mahmoud, are allowed entry into the courtroom.
At the time of this report, prominent figures such as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; the National Secretary, Senator Bashir Ajibola, and five others have taken their seats in the courtroom.
Anxiety is also growing in the courtroom due to the lack of confirmation regarding the names of the panel members who will be presiding over the petitions. More details will be provided later.