We’ll Appeal Judgement On Issuance Of Certificate To Okorocha, INEC Vows

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will appeal the Court judgment ordering it to issue a Certificate of Return as Senator-elect to former Governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha.

Okorocha received his certificate of return on Tuesday as the winner of Imo West Senatorial District election held February 23.

According to a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Tuesday in Abuja, the commission issued the certificate to Okorocha in compliance with an Abuja Federal High Court that directed it to do so.

Okoye said the issuance of the certificate to Okorocha once again demonstrated its commitment to obeying court judgment, including those it might have reservations.

He said that the decision was reached on Tuesday after the commission met and considered 14 Memoranda involving judgments and orders in pre-election matters relating to the issuance of certificates and or withdrawal of certificates already issued in pre-election matters.

“Amongst the memoranda considered, is the one concerning the judgment on the Imo West Senatorial district by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

“The Commission decided to comply with the court judgment by issuing a certificate of return to the plaintiff, Rochas Okorocha in compliance with the judgment and Orders of Hon. Justice Okon Abang.

“It will also appeal against the said judgment.”

Okoye said that in arriving at the decision, the commission also took into consideration, the orders issued by two High Courts in Owerri Judicial Division.

He said the orders were issued in suits No. HOW/ 596/2019 issued on May 23, 2019, and another dated June 11, 2019, issued in suit No. HOW/663/2019 restraining the commission from issuing a certificate of return in respect of the said senatorial district.

The national commissioner said that INEC noted that both were interim orders issued ex parte and not final orders of the court.

“However, the commission must put on record it’s very profound concerns about the likely consequences of this judgment for our electoral process in particular and our democracy in general.

“Obviously, persons who seek elective offices can perceive in this judgment an irrelevance of due process and acting within the law.

“It is not far-fetched that some of them can in future disregard laid down processes, including voting, arm themselves and mobilize thugs and compel Returning Officers to declare them elected, irrespective of the true outcomes of elections.

“Moreover, it may become increasingly difficult for the commission to convince its officials that they are safe to carry out their legitimate functions without fear of being harassed, held to ransom or visited with bodily harm,” he said.

Okoye restated INEC’s commitment to due process and obedience to the Rule of Law in its dealings with all parties and candidates.

“We assure Nigerians that we will not waiver in our determination to enthrone a credible electoral process in Nigeria.”

NAN