The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, November 13, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, on the final list of candidates for the governorship election in the state.
Justice Peter Lifu, while delivering judgment, said INEC had no right to remove any candidate sponsored by a political party without a court order.
Justice Lifu said only the Federal High Court or the state high court has the power to declare a candidate invalid and not the commission.
He held that INEC breached Adebutu’s right to fair hearing and also directed INEC to immediately restore his name to the list and publish it within 24 hours.
Lifu stated that the PDP established beyond reasonable doubt that Adebutu was a registered member of the party in the state.
He also challenged INEC’s authority over the party’s membership register, asking whether the electoral body has become the custodian of the PDP’s membership records.
Additionally, the judge faulted INEC for failing to provide evidence that the PDP’s submitted flash drive had been altered.
More details later…….
