On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to extend the interim order issued on July 10, which had halted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from prosecuting the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari.Sen. Aishatu Dahiru, also known as Binani, filed a suit to have Section 144 of the Electoral Act, 2022 interpreted, and the court gave its response.
Justice Donatus Okorowo, presiding over the case, adjourned the matter until July 24 to hear the originating summons served on the defendants during the open court session.
The defendants named in the suit are INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Binani, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Adamawa governorship election held on March 18, argued that the harassment and prevention of her star witness, Hudu Yunusa Ari, from testifying before the tribunal could jeopardize her case.
The tribunal is currently reviewing a petition challenging the victory of the candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the current Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who was declared the winner by INEC.
During the hearing, INEC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, stated that the defendants had not been served with the court’s July 10 order or the originating summons filed by Binani. Jacobs challenged the court’s competence and jurisdiction to entertain the matter in a counter-affidavit.
Justice Okorowo refused to extend the order and adjourned the case until July 24 for further proceedings. It is worth noting that INEC seeks the prosecution of the suspended REC for declaring Binani the winner of the rerun poll held on April 15.
