Top Story

Breaking: Issue certificate of return to Okorocha as Senator-elect, Court orders INEC

238
The Federal High Court in Abuja, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to immediately issue the certificate of return to the immediate-past Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, as the senator-elect for the Imo West Senatorial District.
Justice Okon Abang made this order on Friday, in his judgment on the suit filed by Okorocha to challenge INEC’s decision to withhold his certificate of return after being declared winner of February 23, 2019, National Assembly election in the Imo West Senatorial District.
INEC had based its decision to withhold the certificate of return on the grounds that its Returning Officer, who presided over the election complained that he declared the results under duress.
The judge, who described INEC’s action as “lawless and arbitrary,” held in that Okorocha having been declared the winner of the election, INEC no longer had any legal authority to withhold the certificate of return due to him.
“Once the declaration is made under section 68(c) of the Electoral Act, INEC has become functus officio and INEC has no lawful authority to withhold the certificate of return for any reason whatsoever.
“Therefore the issue of duress is unknown to both the Electoral Act and the Constitution,” the judge stated.
The court ruled that Okorocha remained elected subject to the outcome of the ongoing proceedings of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.
He, therefore, ordered, “INEC shall forthwith publish and circulate the name of the plaintiff as the senator-elect representing Orlu Imo West Senatorial District.
“It is hereby ordered that INEC shall forthwith issue a certificate of return as the senator-elect representing senator-elect representing Orlu Imo West Senatorial District.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FG terminates Julius Berger’s N740bln Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day termination notice to...

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...

ECOWAS, Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania Commit to $26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project

“The project, conceived in 2016 during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

Updated: Abuja Court grants N1.1 bln bail to 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N10 million bail...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Breaking: 10 fatalities confirmed as building collapses in Ibadan

A weehours building collapse in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday...

Breaking: After five hours of screening, Senate confirms Bianca Ojukwu, six others as ministers

The Senate on Wednesday screened and confirmed the nominations of Ambassador Bianca...

Senate begins screening of seven ministerial nominees

The Senate has started screening the seven ministerial nominees of President Bola...

Alleged homosexuality: RCCG suspends two pastors, launches investigation

For allegedly breaching the church’s doctrine and the Holy Bible, two pastors...

Helicopter crash: NNPC Ltd. spokesman Soneye cancels golden jubilee birthday celebration in honour of departed souls

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National...

Biden in 30-minute phone call with Tinubu, hails Binance executive release

President Bola Tinubu and US President Joe Biden held a 30-minute phone...

Tinubu Receives Briefing on Local Currency Oil Sales Amid Pricing Disputes

President Bola Tinubu has received a briefing from the Implementation Committee on...

Kcee and Flavour engage in heated exchange over Igbo music style

The Nigerian music industry is once again witnessing a brewing fiery clash...

In Lagos, 150 Ajegunle widows, vulnerable lifted with food items, cash gifts

As part of efforts to provide succor and the much-needed support to...

Economic hardship: I’m not T-pain, you are mischievous, Tinubu replies Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come under fire from the Presidency...

Just in: Air Peace denies plan to hike Lagos-Abuja airfare

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, has dismissed rumours about raising...