We conducted verification, not screening -- INEC tells court
INEC yesterday reiterated that the just concluded exercise it carried out was verification of certificates of all candidates for the 2007 polls and not screening.
The electoral body made the clarification at a Federal High Court in Abuja during the resumed hearing of the suit filed by the Action Congress (AC) to stop the exercise.
INEC lawyer, Mr O. Elekwa, said the Commission only verified the certificates submitted by the candidates to confirm their authenticity.
He also informed the court that the Commission was not served with the interim order stopping the exercise as purportedly issued by the court before the conclusion of the exercise.
Meanwhile, hearing in the case was short lived because INEC did not file a counter affidavit to the suit.
Elekwa told the court that they had filed a memorandum of appearance and requested for an adjournment to enable his boss, the Director of Legal Services, Mr Osaze Uzzi, handle the case personally.
Counsel to AC, Mr Ricky Tarfa (SAN), opposed the application alleging that it was a ploy by INEC to slow down the process of justice.
Justice Babs Kuewumi agreed to a short adjournment and fixed hearing for February 5.
The AC filed the suit to challenge the screening exercise by INEC between January 10 and 23, on the ground that it was unconstitutional.
In the suit, the plaintiff contended that neither the 1999 Constitution nor the Electoral Act empowered INEC to screen candidates submitted by political parties for election.
The party asked the court to restrain INEC from carrying out the exercise.
It would be recalled that Kuewumi had granted an order of interim injunction on Jan. 21, restraining INEC from going ahead with the exercise.