Benue: Court quashes Alia’s executive order on public gatherings

Alia

A Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi has quashed the executive order issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia restricting public gatherings across the state.

Governor Alia had on February 27, 2024 signed the executive order, which banned public gatherings and all forms of events — including wakes, ceremonies and religious activities — beyond 10pm, alongside other restrictions.

The order was challenged in court by a former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bemgba Iortyom, and a human rights activist, Adebayo Ogorry.

Delivering judgment last Friday, the presiding judge, Justice Theresa Igoche, held that the executive order lacked any lawful foundation and accordingly set it aside. Punch