The Federal High Court in Warri has issued a summons to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly failing to comply with a 21-year-old judgment regarding the legality of 12 wards in the Warri South Constituency.
On May 23, 2024, the Trustees of Ugbarajo Iwere Leaders Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization representing the Itsekiri ethnic group in the Warri Federal Constituency, filed an Ex-parte application seeking an interim injunction to compel INEC to adhere to past rulings on the ward structure in Warri South Local Government Area. The Trustees argue that INEC has not respected orders that pertain to the legal framework of these wards, violating principles of neutrality and fairness as outlined in INEC’s 2022 Manual for Election Officials.
The lawsuit, filed under case number FHC/WR/CS/46/2024, questions the impartiality of INEC’s Management/Delimitation Committee, particularly highlighting the inclusion of Professor Rhoda Gumus, an Ijaw ethnic group member, as a conflict of interest. The Plaintiffs claim this compromises the integrity of the review process, contravening the principles of fair hearing and neutrality.
During the hearing of the Ex-parte motion, the Plaintiff’s Counsel, Chief Robinson Ariyo, successfully argued against the participation of E. K. Omare, Esq., who was attempting to represent Ijaw interests. Chief Ariyo maintained that an Ex-parte proceeding should not involve potential adversaries, and the court upheld this objection, excluding Omare from the proceedings.
However, the court did not grant the interim injunction. The presiding judge noted the rarity of granting Ex-parte applications unless under extreme circumstances and directed that INEC and other respondents be notified for a hearing. The case has been adjourned to July 16, 2024, for further arguments.
Chief Robinson Ariyo expressed appreciation for the court’s decision and committed to ensuring that INEC is properly notified for the upcoming hearing.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
