Edo: Drama erupts as govt moves to recover bus used by PDP lawyers

A scene of mild drama unfolded in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Wednesday, as the state government’s Assets Recovery Committee attempted to recover a 32-seater coaster bus at the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The bus, reportedly owned by the state government, had been used to convey lawyers representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the tribunal.

The tribunal, which is being held at the Edo High Court premises, became the center of attention early in the day when members of the recovery committee arrived to seize the vehicle. They alleged that the bus was among government assets unlawfully taken by officials of the previous administration led by Godwin Obaseki.

Sources disclosed that after initial discussions with the lawyers, who were primarily senior counsel, an agreement was reached to allow the vehicle to complete its trip by taking the occupants back to their destinations. However, the situation took a dramatic turn after the tribunal’s proceedings.

Members of the recovery committee allegedly reneged on the earlier agreement and sought to forcibly seize the bus. This led to a heated altercation that quickly escalated into physical confrontations between the lawyers and committee members.

The incident drew the intervention of notable figures from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP, who worked to de-escalate tensions and resolve the standoff.

Despite the commotion, the lawyers were eventually seen leaving the court premises in the same bus, signaling a temporary resolution to the dispute.

The Assets Recovery Committee, set up by the current Edo State administration, has been actively reclaiming properties it claims were misappropriated during the previous government.