INEC debunks claims of disobeying court ruling

[Punch]

The Independent National Electoral Commission has refuted claims that it failed to uphold a subsisting court order removing the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Rufus Akeju, from office.

In a statement signed by Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the body maintained that it had not violated any court order as proclaimed by a politician, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Idowu said the commission had appealed the court injunction restraining INEC from recognising Akeju as the Osun State Electoral Commissioner, and that the matter was still pending before the Court of Appeal, Akure, Ondo State.

The statement read in part, "True, in a ruling of March 23, 2011 by the Federal High Court in Oshogbo, Justice Babs Kuewumi gave an interlocutory order of injunction restraining INEC from recognising the REC pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Summons in the suit.

But the commission's lawyers lodged an appeal and filed a motion for stay of execution of the interlocutory order. This appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Akure.

"Meanwhile, Justice Babs Kuewumi, in another ruling on May 31, 2012, granted the application for stay of proceedings pending the determination of the appeal made by the Plaintiff – the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Punch