An Abuja Federal High Court has overruled the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register the Youth Party of Nigeria, YPN.
The court ruled that INEC’s decision was a breach of the political party’s right to fair hearing.
In his judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo, stated that the electoral umpire breached YPN’s right by de-registering it despite a pending case the party filed against INEC’s earlier threat.
Justice Ekwo’s ruling was on a suit filed by the Youth Party, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/10/2020, which had INEC as the sole defendant.
The judge ruled that inasmuch as INEC is empowered under Section 255(a) of the Constitution to de-register political parties, such power must be exercised within the armbit of the law.
“I condemn the action of the defendant in de-registering the plaintiff while its case was pending,” the judge stated.
He further stated that INEC’s decision to de-register the plaintiff during the pendency of the case amounted to an arbitrary exercise of powers.
Reacting the ruling, Counsel to the party, Barrister John Ochogwu, expressed happiness with the Judgment of the court.
Ochogwu advised INEC to always observe the Rule of law in the discharge of its statutory duties.
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