Okorocha: Court Takes Decision On Certificate Of Return

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Rochas Okorocha.

Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Abang dismissed the submission by candidates of the PDP, Jones Onyeriri and APGA, Osita Izunaso that the matter ought to be taken to the election petitions tribunal since it has become a post-election matter which robbed the court of jurisdiction under sections 285, 251(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The judge noted that petitions to the election tribunal under Section 133 of the Electoral Act should be made by the losers, and not the person declared winner whether under duress or not.

Justice Abang said: “The reliefs sought by the plaintiff (Okorocha) does not relate to the validity of the election to warrant him filing petitions at the election tribunal.

“The tribunal has no jurisdiction to answer questions as to the validity of INEC’s action.

“The action of INEC not to issue a certificate of return is unknown to the Constitution and the Electoral Act.”