Justice Taiwo Taiwo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted leave to the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Imo North Senatorial District, Benjamin Uwajumogu to seek judicial review of the decision by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which set-up a committee to investigate his election victory.
The Court granted Uwajumogu leave to apply for a judicial review by a way of writ of prohibition, declaration and injunction against INEC.
Justice Taiwo however ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stay action on the verification of election result for Imo North Senatorial District.
While ruling on an ex-parte motion filed Uwajumou against the commission, Justice Taiwo, ordered all necessary applications’ or processes pursuant to the leave earlier granted on the INEC must be filed within 3days and the commission shall file their response within 15days of the receipt of processes to be filed.
“That Leave is hereby granted to the applicant to apply for judicial review by way of writ of prohibition, declaration and injunction against the respondent.
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“That an order is hereby made staying all further proceedings and actions by the respondents pertaining, relating or connected with the declaration of Imo North Senatorial District election result of February 23. And March 9, pending determination of the application for prohibition.
“That the applicant shall file and serve all necessary applications’ or processes pursuant to the leave earlier granted on the defendant within 3days of this order and the defendant shall file their response within 15days of the receipt of processes to be filed,” Justice Taiwo ruled.
The Court however adjourned till 30th April for hearing on the matter.
INEC had announced the setting-up of a committee on Imo North senatorial poll.
INEC in a statement signed by its National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Mr. Festus Okoye, noted that the commission observed a number of issues arising from the election and set up a Committee to look into them.
“The Committee is to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of allegations of misconduct in the election. It is also to advise the Commission on whether its procedures were complied with by officials. The Committee is to submit its report on Wednesday April 10,” the statement reads.
