×

Judge warns INEC against de-registration of parties

Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Lagos has warned the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged plan to de-register some political … Continue reading Judge warns INEC against de-registration of parties


Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Lagos has warned the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged plan to de-register some political parties before a suit challenging the legality of such action is determined.

Abang gave the warning on Tuesday in a suit filed by the National Conscience Party (NCP) and a member of the party, Mr. Agunbiade Tunde.

The judge said the court would nullify any action taken by the electoral body contravening the prayers of the plaintiffs in an application seeking an injunction against the electoral body.

NCP had through its counsel, Mr Marcus Eyarhono, challenging the powers of the electoral body to de-register any political party.

The party subsequently filed an application on July 3, 2012, seeking an injunction to restrain INEC from deregistering any party while the suit was pending.

However, the judge refused Eyarhono’s request for the application to be heard on Tuesday.

But he assured the lawyer that no action taken in contravention of the prayers in the application would stand.

Joined as the first and second defendants in the suit are the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke.

Only the National Assembly was however represented by a counsel, Mr. Abayomi Apata, at the Tuesday’s proceedings.

The judge said Order 26 Rule 5 of the Federal High Court Rules gave seven days and as such the application was yet to be ripe for hearing because the defendants were only served on July 6, 2012.

He however adjourned the matter till July 16.