Court Bars INEC from Proceeding with Warri Electoral Delineation

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a major ruling that bars the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with any actions regarding the delineation of electoral wards and polling units in Warri South, Warri Federal Constituency, pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute.

Justice Omotosho, in his ruling stated that any actions taken by INEC during the pendency of the case would be deemed illegal, null, and void. The case which was brought forward by Hon. Appearance Afejuku & 3 Ors v INEC in Suit no. FHC/ABJ/443/2024 is seeking to halt INEC’s activities regarding the electoral unit review process in the area.

ALSO READ: Pondi Lied, Maritime University Okerenkoko Law Is Non-Existent -Lawyer

While this ruling by Justice Omotosho temporarily halts INEC’s actions, it follows another decision earlier today, where Justice Nwite dismissed a related case concerning a similar challenge to INEC’s powers.

That case, brought by the Itsekiri ethnic group under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1043/2024 between Chief Brown Mene & 3 Ors Vs. INEC & 16 Ors before Justice Nwite, sought to prevent INEC from releasing its findings on the delineation of electoral units in Warri Federal Constituency. However, the court ruled that the case was statute-barred, as it was filed beyond the three-month period stipulated by law, and dismissed the suit, allowing INEC to proceed with its work.

However, Ariyo’s legal team has already filed an appeal against the ruling and intends to seek an injunction to prevent any further activities by INEC while the appeal is pending. Ariyo noted that the plaintiffs were committed to ensuring that the matter is fully addressed before any further action is taken by INEC.

The legal battle stems from a Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 2, 2022, which directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.