Court says INEC lawless in denying Okorocha Certificate of Return

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja, Friday described as lawless decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to issue the immediate past governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, his certificate as senator-elect.

He subsequently ordered INEC to issue Okorocha a Certificate of Return as senator-elect for Imo West Senatorial District.

Abang held that only the returning officer of the INEC had the constitutional authority to declare a winner and that 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 Mr 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.

Meanwhile, Okorocha, while reacting to the judgment of the court said he had forgiven Prof. Innocent Ibeabuchi, the returning officer for the Imo West senatorial election, in the 2019 general elections, who claimed he declared Okorocha winner under duress.

Okorocha said this in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Friday.

He thanked the court for affirming his victory, describing Justice Abang as one of the exemplary ambassadors of the judiciary in Nigeria.

The former governor dedicated his victory to the people of Imo West Senatorial district and Imo state in general, for their unflinching support and steadfastness. (RS with NAN reports)