An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has lambasted the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over its refusal to released Rochas Okorocha’s Certifcate of Return since the February 23 election. The court nullified the decision of INEC to refuse to present the former Imo State governor with a certificate of return as senator-elect.
The Court ruled on Thursday that the decision to deprive Okorocha of the certificate falls outside the provisions of the law and was therefore a “lawless decision.”
According to the court presided over by Justice Okon Abang, only the returning officer of the INEC had the constitutional authority to declare a winner.
Justice Abang said any person declared a winner by the returning officer remains a winner until petitioners succeed in upturning the declaration at the election tribunal.
The court further ruled that Okorocha had no business being the originator of the petition at the election tribunal.
Justice Abang, who ruled that the federal high court had exclusive jurisdiction to decide on the matter, described INEC’s decision as “lawless and a complete nullity.”
The electoral body had said it refused to give Okorocha certificate of return after the returning officer for Imo West senatorial district said he was compelled to declare Okorocha winner.