Court declines Emefiele’s request to restrain INEC from disqualifying him

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the request by Godwin Emefiele to restrain INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from taking any steps to prevent him from participating in the APC presidential primaries later this month.

In court documents obtained by Daily Trust, Emefiele, through his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, argued that he is not a political appointee and by provision of the constitution, he is expected to resign a month before the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

He also argued that a Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, had nullified section 12 (8) of the Electoral Act.

Delivering a ruling on his application, Justice Ahmed Mohammed declined to order the maintenance of the status quo as prayed by Emefiele’s lawyer. Instead, Justice Mohammed ordered that the defendants be put on notice of the motion for them to respond by showing cause why the prayers sought by the plaintiff should not be granted.

“Having listened to the learned senior advocate and having read the affidavit in support, an order is hereby made directing the defendants to appear on 12 May (12pm) and show cause why the motion ex-parte seeking maintenance of status quo should not be granted by this court.
An order is made to serve the court processes on the defendants.”the judge said