COURT VOIDS GOV. ALIA'S ORDER ON PUBLIC GATHERINGS IN BENUE STATE. (PHOTO).

 COURT VOIDS GOV. ALIA'S ORDER ON PUBLIC GATHERINGS IN BENUE STATE 

2nd February, 2026     

A High Court of Benue State sitting in Makurdi has nullified an executive order issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia requiring citizens to obtain permits before organising public gatherings in the state.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Theresa Igooche, the court declared the order unconstitutional, illegal and a violation of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended.

The executive order, signed on February 28, 2024, also imposed a 10:00 p.m. curfew on public events, including rallies, wakes and other social activities.

Justice Igooche held that the directive was ultra vires the powers of the governor and amounted to an abuse of executive authority, as it infringed on citizens’ rights to freedom of movement, association and peaceful assembly.

The court dismissed all preliminary objections raised by the Benue State Government and the state Attorney-General, describing them as lacking merit and rooted in technicalities rather than the pursuit of substantial justice.

The suit was instituted in June 2024 by Chief Bemgba Iortyer Iortyom, a former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, alongside Adebayo Ogorry of the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET).

The plaintiffs argued that the order had been used to justify arbitrary arrests, closure of businesses and disruption of political, social and religious gatherings across the state.

Upholding their claims, the court ruled that no executive order could override constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental rights.

Reacting to the judgment, Chief Iortyer described the ruling as a victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law, noting that it reaffirmed the supremacy of the Constitution over arbitrary executive actions.

As of the time of this report, the Benue State Government is yet to react to the judgment or indicate whether it will appeal the ruling.

The decision has continued to generate discussions within political and civil society circles on the balance between maintaining public order and protecting fundamental freedoms in the state.