INEC promised to appeal– Rocha’s receives certificate of return

Punarimam Fehintola

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has complied with the Court judgment by issuing a Certificate of Return to the Plaintiff, Rochas Anayo Ethelbert Okorocha in compliance with the judgment and Orders of Hon. Justice O.E. Abang.

According to a statement signed by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner & chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission met and considered 14 Memoranda involving Judgments and Orders in pre-election matters relating to the issuance of Certificates and or withdrawal of Certificates already issued in pre-election matters.

Amongst the Memoranda considered is that concerning the judgment on the Imo West Senatorial District by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Okoye explained that “In arriving at this decision, the Commission also took into consideration the Orders issued by two High Courts in the Owerri Judicial Division in Suits No. HOW/596/2019 issued on the 23rd day of May 2019 and another dated the 11th June, 2019 issued in Suit No. HOW/663/2019 restraining the Commission from issuing Certificate of Return in respect of the said Senatorial District.  It is noted that both are interim orders issued Ex-Parte and not final orders of Court”

He added that the Commission would like to seize this opportunity to restate its commitment to due process and obedience to the Rule of Law in its dealings with all parties and candidates.  We assure Nigerians that we will not waiver in our determination to enthrone a credible electoral process in Nigeria.