Court halts INEC candidates’ verification
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted an interim order restraining INEC from going ahead with its candidates’ verification exercise.
The order was sequel to a suit filed by Vice President Atiku Abubakar, AC Presidential candidate and the AC.
Granting the interim order, Justice Babs Kuewuni said the parties to the case should maintain status quo pending the determination of the suit which was adjourned till Jan . 30.
Atiku and AC had filed the suit contending that INEC had no constitutional powers to carry out the verification exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC was not represented at the hearing of the suit.
Arguing the case, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) asked for interim order as non-granting it would make the whole court process an academic exercise since the verification would end yesterday Jan. 24.
The order was granted by Justice Kuewuni, urging all the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
INEC had commenced the verification of candidates’ particulars since Jan. 10 and would end on Tuesday with the 13 other presidential candidates.
Reacting to the court order, INEC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Segun Adeogun, said the commission was a law abiding one, adding that it would abide by any decision of the court.
He said the commission was yet to be served with the court order, stressing: “Once we are served, we will comply’’.
Earlier, the chairman of INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu while addressing 11 presidential candidates who came for verification today in Abuja had said the commission derived its powers from section 131 and 137 of the constitution.
Those who appeared before the verification team today were Presidential candidates of ACPN, ADC, CPP, APS, BNPP, PDP, MMN, HDP, NDP, RPN and NUP.
NAN further reports that all the candidates had applauded the exercise, saying it would help in producing quality candidates for the April polls.