Court Stops INEC From Issuing Certificate Of Return To Goodswill Akpabio’s Opponent

Court Stops INEC From Issuing Certificate Of Return To Goodswill Akpabio’s Opponent

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja
has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
‘stay action’ on the issuance of a certificate of return to any
candidate in Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district election.  

Justice Valentine Ashi made the order on Friday, following an
application with suit No ‘FCT/HC/M/2680/19’, with Senator Godswill
Akpabio as the applicant.  She restrained the respondent in the suit –
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – from issuing any
certificate, pending the determination of the suit before the court.  

In an exparte motion dated February 28, 2019, with an affidavit
deposed to by one Daniel Idoko and filed on March 1, Senator Akpabio
prayed the court for leave to apply for “judicial review for the
issuance of writ of Mandamus, prohibition, injunction, and other
declaratory reliefs” against INEC.  

He also asked the court to direct the respondent to stay further
action, ”particularly further action in respect of issuance of
certificate of return to any candidate in respect of the seat of senator
representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district on the account of
election held on the 23rd February 2019.”  

Granting the order, Justice Ashi said there was “some merit,
especially in regards to the need to keep things in status quo.”  “Leave
is hereby granted to the applicant to apply for judicial review for the
issuance of a writ of mandamus prohibition injunction and other
declaratory reliefs against the respondent,” she held.  

The judge further ordered a stay of issuance of a certificate of
return to any candidate in respect of the seat as sought by the
applicant  She adjourned the case till March 8 for hearing and directed
the parties to first address the court on jurisdiction on the next
adjourned date.

See the court papers below…