Imo West Senatorial Seat: Court Orders INEC To Issue Certificate Of Return To Okorocha - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Editor 2
June 7, 2019
TheFederal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent NationalElectoral Commission,INEC, to immediately issue the Certificate of Return tothe immediate-past governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, as the Senator-Electfor the Imo West Senatorial District.
JusticeOkon Abang who made the order in a judgment on the suit filed by Okorocha, challengingINECs decision to withhold his certificate of return after he was declared thewinner of February 23, 2019, National Assembly Election in the Imo West SenatorialDistrict, described INECs action as lawless and arbitrary.
JusticeAbang also held that Okorocha having been declared the winner of the election,INEC no longer had any legal authority to withhold a certificate of return dueto him.
Thejudge held, once the declaration is made under section 68(c) of the electoralact, INEC has become functus officio and INEC has no lawful authority towithhold the certificate of return for any reason whatsoever.
Healso held that the issue of duress is unknown to both the electoral act and theconstitution of Nigeria.