Court Bars INEC From Using MC Oluomo Committee To Distribute Electoral Materials

The Federal High Court in Lagos has restricted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from employing the services of the Lagos State Parks and Garages Committee to distribute election materials.

Naija News reports that the Committee is headed by Musliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, a known supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that the Labour Party (LP) and five others had sought an interlocutory injunction barring the committee from participating in the distribution of electoral materials, citing concerns over his alleged association with political violence and thuggery.

During the hearing of the suit on Monday, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke barred INEC from employing the services of the MC Oluomo-led Committee to distribute election materials in Lagos.

The judge ruled that the order stands pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The court ruled that the order restrains the INEC (defendant/respondent) “whether by itself or by its officers, affiliates, servants, privies or agents or any person acting or purporting to act for and on its behalf howsoever from taking any steps or further steps whatsoever in furtherance of the engagement or appointment or consummating the appointment of the Akinsanya-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee.”

Recall that the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Segun Agbaje, had said the commission has contracted the Committee for the distribution of election materials.

Agbaje’s statement generated reactions from the camps of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi of the LP.

Reacting to the controversy, INEC said it does not have any contract with transport unions for the transportation of election materials.

The Commission also stated that it only has a logistics contract for the distribution of election materials with drivers and not transport unions., adding that it has no intention of removing Agbaje.