A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.
The Court held that the decision to withhold Okorocha’s certificate was a “lawless decision.”
Justice Okon Abang, the presiding judge contended that only the returning officer of the INEC had the constitutional authority to declare a winner unless the election tribunal upturns the election.
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He added that Okorocha had no business being the originator of the petition at the election tribunal.
Nullifying INEC’s argument against the court’s jurisdiction, Justice Abang described INEC’s decision as “lawless and a complete nullity.”
Recall that INEC had refused to issue Okorocha a certificate of return following accusations by the returning officer for Imo West senatorial district, that e declared the results under duress.
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