Again, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Monday stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from releasing voters’ register to the Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC), where it is challenging the legality or otherwise of the processes leading to fixing of October 5 for the election.
The register is for the purpose of conducting the October 5, 2024 local government election in the state.
In the same vein, the court also barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Department of the State Service (DSS) from participating and providing security for the conduct of the local government poll.
The suit was argued on behalf of the APC by a team of senior lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, all SANs.
Justice Lifu held that the RSIEC was wrong in fixing the October 5 date for the conduct of the polls when all relevant laws guiding the election had not been complied with.
Among others, the judge held that the Rivers state electoral body violated provisions of the local government election conduct law by not publishing the mandatory 90 days notice before fixing the date.
Justice Peter Lifu also held that the update and revision of voters’ register by INEC ought to have been concluded 90 days before an election date could be legally and validity fixed in law.
The judge, therefore, ordered INEC not to make the certified voters’ register available to RSIEC until all relevant laws have been fully complied with.
Justice Peter Lifu also barred RSIEC from accepting any voters’ register from INEC or using it for the purpose of the October 5 local governments poll.
The APC had dragged INEC, RSIEC, Rivers Attorney General, IGP and DSS, alleging irregularities and outright violations of laws in the ways and manners the Rivers state government was handling the election matters.
The party alleged that the mandatory provisions of law for publication of election notice 90 days before the conduct of election was jettisoned.