The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, today fixed August 7, to hear the suit challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from going ahead with the recall process of Sen. Dino Melaye’s, after his constituents initiated recall process from INEC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday, alleged that there is plot to frustrate process for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye. The suit which was originally adjourned till September 29, by Justice John Tsoho, will now be heard on August 7, by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.
The vacation Judge said he was minded to exercise his discretion to hear the matter within the court’s vacation period, owing to " the constitutional pillar upon which the application was hoisted". INEC which had through its lawyer, Mr Sulayman Ibrahim, applied for accelerated hearing of the suit during vacation. He expressed its displeasure over the application which it describe as a deliberate ploy to delay the recall process.
The Commission said it was constrained under section 69 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, to conclude the recall process within 90 days. It earlier asked the court to vacate the interim order that stopped it from going ahead with the recall process.
INEC is challenging the legality of the restraining order that Justice John Tsoho of the high court issued against it on July 6. Justice Tsoho had ordered all the parties involved in the recall process to maintain the status quo until September 29 when the case was previously adjourned to.
Besides, the commission alleged that Melaye misrepresented and suppressed material facts and thereby misled the judge to issue an interim order of injunction in his favour, the lawyer averred.
