Judgment: Journalists denied access to courtroom for Sokoto governorship tribunal

• Journalists of privately-owned media outlets have been denied entry into the courtroom of the Sokoto State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal
• It was gathered that only media outlets from state and federal government-owned media outlets were allowed entry into the courtroom
• This was confirmed by the Head of the Directorate of the State Security Services (SSS) while addressing journalists

Emerging reports have confirmed that journalists have been denied entry into the courtroom for the final judgment of the Sokoto State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal.

As reported by Punch, it was gathered that journalists arrived at the court premises as early as 7:00 AM after undergoing strict security checks.

The report says the court premises were heavily manned, and armed security personnel made entry into the courtroom tasking.

The Head of the Directorate of the State Security Services said only journalists working for the state-owned media and those of the Nigerian Television Authority would be allowed into the court chamber.

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Meanwhile, the tribunal is expected to deliver its final verdict today to know the fate of the appellant and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saidu Umar and Governor Ahmad Aliyu (the defendant) and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 18 gubernatorial polls.

The PDP candidate, Umar, is challenging the victory of Aliyu, who was declared the winner of the governorship polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the conclusion and collation of results.

The State Collation Officer, Bichi Amaya’u, who announced the result in Sokoto, said Mr Aliyu polled a total of 453,661 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the PDP, Umar, who polled 404,632.

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Elsewhere, there is anxiety in the Gateway state as the Ogun governorship election petition tribunal gets set to deliver its verdict.

The PDP candidate, Ladi Adebutu, is challenging the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was gathered that there was tight security at the venue, as all roads leading to the court premises had been barricaded.

Source: Legit.ng