A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Wednesday frustrated plans to scuttle the 2023 general election by removing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, over alleged failure to declare his assets.

Apart from quashing the allegations of false assets declaration against Yakubu, the court stopped security agencies from investigating him.

Meanwhile, the coalition of United Political Parties and other socio-political organisations have hailed the judgement, describing the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

The Spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, hailed the judgment as “a major New Year gift to Nigerians by the judiciary.”

According to him, the court verdict was “a victory for a credible, free and fair election.”

He said the plans to scuttle the 2023 general election by those who know they cannot win free and fair elections have been squashed by the judiciary.

Ugochinyere also commended the court for going ahead to bar security agencies from investigating him over his valid assets declaration.

He said, “I’m happy that the judiciary over the months has proven that they are the last hope of the common man. Since our intelligence discovery of plans to compel INEC chairman to stop the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation system in the 2023 elections, these evil politicians have not rested, they looking for nonexisting faults.”

The PUNCH reported that the plaintiff, Somadina Uzoabaka, had in an originating summons marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022 by filled against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Yakubu, sought among other, an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down as chairman, pending the investigation and consideration of the various allegations against him by the various law enforcement agencies.

The plaintiff also sought an order of the court stopping him from holding or assuming any public office for a period of ten years.

In his defence, Yakubu tendered several exhibits to show the sources of money for the purchase of the properties which, the plaintiff alleged, were illegally acquired and insisted that his assets declarations were validly done.

Delivering his judgment, Justice M. A. Hassan held that the declaration of assets by Yakubu was lawful, valid and in compliance with the law.

According to him, the INEC chairman cannot be investigated by any of the security agencies listed by the claimant that should all investigate him. The judge declined to grant any of the 14 prayers of the claimant and declared that the INEC Chairman cannot be removed over fabricated allegations of false assets declaration.

The judge, therefore, dismissed the claims of the claimant and allowed Yakubu’s counter-claim.

Ugochinyere regretted that security agencies were now being used for other responsibilities.

He said, “First, it was the CBN Governor because of the cash limit policy and now the INEC chairman. The security agencies are a disappointment; at a time the masses need their protection and help, they are busy serving the interest of evil politicians.”

The President of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Movement, Ochiagha Nnadi, said the judiciary has yet again saved the Nigerian democracy from collapse as politicians do not mind the collapse of democracy in their pursuit of power.

“Can Nigerians imagine what would have happened if in about 50 days to a general election, there is a sudden change in the leadership of the electoral commission? Many people who pose as leaders do not mean well for the country”, he said.

The national chairman of the Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, in his response, applauded the judge for being bold.

Udeze wondered why any person would wait until a few days before a general election to seek the removal of the INEC boss from office.

“It would have thrown the entire country into political crisis as there would be allegations and counter-allegations in an already highly charged polity. Security agencies should live up to their mandate and stop being apolitical,” he said.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/asset-declaration-court-stops-inec-chairmans-removal/%3famp

cc: lalasticlala, mynd44, mukina2, seun

Only good thing Buhari will be remembered for will be if he ensures free and fair elections in 2023

Hw can u wake up early in d morning and be posting fake news.........what's the problem of u ppl supporting obi, why r u guys so foolish

The only candidate banking on election rigging to win the election

Mandate2023:
Hw can u wake up early in d morning and be posting fake news.........what's the problem of u ppl supporting obi, why r u guys so foolish

People with antisocial personality disorder
(ASPD) may behave dangerously and
sometimes illegally, and generally act in ways
that are unpleasant to others. You may already
have a criminal record and feel little or no
sense of guilt when mistreating or upsetting
other people. may God overlook ur foolery and heal you speedily

The PUNCH reported that the plaintiff, Somadina Uzoabaka, had in an originating summons marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022 by filled against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Yakubu, sought among other, an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down as chairman

An Igbo man who is a supporter of Peter Obi went to court to seek for the removal of the INEC chairman. The court refused and and another Igbo supporter of Peter Obi is on Nairaland to twist the story and blame the antics of Uzoabakau on Tinubu. From the beginning to the end of the story, there was no mention of Tinubu. Attached is the headline of the story as published by Punch. The same headline was completely changed by the OP to deceive Nairalanders.

Such is the extent of Fake news directed towards Tinubu unprovoked on daily basis by these folks who lacks decency and sincerity to campaign without lies and falsehood. Like candidate like supporters. Bunch of lying and shameless cretins.

seunmsg:


An Igbo man who is definitely a supporter of Peter Obi went to court to seek for the removal of the INEC chairman. The court refused and and another Igbo supporter of Peter Obi is on Nairaland to twist the story and blame the antics of Uzoabaka on Tinubu.

Why are you guys so tribalistic? In your mind, because he is Igbo, he must be an Obi supporter?
Following your logic, all Yoruba, Northern and Southern supporters of Obi are Igbo.
Some people say that to be APC supporter, you much throw your brain away - jettison it's use while you are a supporter or member. It's beginning to look like they are right

Excelloque:


Why are you guys so tribalistic? In your mind, because he is Igbo, he must be an Obi supporter?
Following your logic, all Yoruba, Northern and Southern supporters of Obi are Igbo.
Some people say that to be APC supporter, you much throw your brain away - jettison it's use while you are a supporter or member. It's beginning to look like they are right

If you have any credibility left in you, the right thing to do is to call out the lying OP and stop talking nonsense. How’s is Uzoabaka related to Tinubu? Where was Tinubu mentioned in the story? Why change the headline to something completely different to deceive readers? Why is it so hard for you Peter Obi supporters to be honest in your campaign?

And yes, Uzoabaka is a Peter Obi supporter and his attempt to disrupt the election has failed. Election will be held next month and Peter Obi will be defeated. Uzoabaka and others like him will then go back to IPOB agitation.

ECASH120:
Only good thing Buhari will be remembered for will be if he ensures free and fair elections in 2023

i hope he wont fail his promise

The man is too despirate,

Trying to remove Emefiele

Trying to remove inec chiarman just because he wants to win at all cost but he forgot that it is only God that can give power.

Anytime buhari make any decision that doesn't favour him his boys in the senate and house of rep will suddenly remember that money is missing in subsidy.