Benue State High Court Nullifies Governor's Executive Order on Public Gatherings

The Benue State High Court in Makurdi has nullified an executive order issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia, which mandated citizens to obtain permits to hold rallies and restricted public gatherings beyond 10 pm. The judgment was delivered by Justice Theresa Igoch in a suit filed by Chief Bemgba Iortyom, a former State Public Secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and the Centre for Social Justice and Equity Transparency (CESJET) against the Benue State government.

The court found the executive order unconstitutional, illegal, and an abuse of executive power. It granted the relief sought by the plaintiffs, issuing a perpetual injunction restraining the state government and its agents from enforcing the order.

The court ruled that the order infringed on citizens' fundamental rights to freedom of movement, association, and assembly, deeming it unjustifiable, arbitrary, and in violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended.