Kogi Guber: Tribunal Gives New Directives To INEC

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi has mandated INEC to issue certified copies of electoral materials related to the November 11 off-cycle election within 48 hours to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The tribunal also directed INEC to permit the SDP’s forensic experts to examine specific electoral materials, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and result sheets for various Local Government Areas.

The ruling aims to facilitate the SDP’s case against the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the mentioned election. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, emphasized the urgency of the order in line with constitutional and electoral provisions.

“The order is in compliance with Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) and with the Electoral Act (2022). INEC is hereby ordered to produce all the documents being sought by the plaintiffs within 48 hours to enable proceedings to go smoothly and without hitches,’’ he declared.

SDP and Yakubu-Ajaka earlier filed seven ex-parte motions to support their demand but withdrew five and pursued two.

Lead counsel to the petitioners, Mr John Adele (SAN), had earlier told the court that efforts made to obtain certified copies of materials used in the six local government areas from INEC had been fruitless.

“Time is of the essence in this matter, and that is why we filed the motions with your lordship to help salvage the situation.

“Each time we approached INEC since Nov. 13, its officials failed to provide us with even one of the electoral materials for which we requested.

“We believe that if your lordship grants our application, INEC will do the needful to enable us to prosecute this case within the time limit,’’ he prayed to the tribunal.

Justice Birnin-Kudu adjourned the case to Wednesday, Nov. 29, for the submission of the report of compliance by INEC and the continuation of the hearing.

The SDP and Yakubu-Ajaka are challenging the victory of the APC and its candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo, at the election petition tribunal.

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