INEC Warned For Disregarding Orders From Tribunal

The presiding chairman of the National Assembly election petitions tribunal for Anambra state, Justice Nayai Aganaba has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission against disregarding orders from the tribunal.

The warning was given during the hearing of a petition filed by Ifeanyi Ibezi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance against the election of Obinna Chidoka of Peoples Democratic Party, The Punch reports.

Ibezi is challenging Chidoka’s victory in the March 28 election in Idemili North and South Federal Constituency of the state on grounds of alleged electoral malpractices.

Justice Aganaba expressed displeasure over the failure of the electoral commission to respond to its subpoenas.

He said he was not happy with the way and manner the commission’s officials treat orders of the tribunal.

READ ALSO: President Buhari Warned: Stay Away From Tribunals!

The chairman said: “Once a subpoena or any court order is issued, those concerned should respect and respond to the directive to avoid clogging the wheel of justice.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a bailiff, Peter Obuesi had during the hearing of the petition informed the court that he served the subpoena to officers at the INEC headquarters but they refused to receive it.

Obuesi said that the INEC officials insisted that the state resident electoral commissioner, Edwin Nwatarali had given a standing order that he would personally collect all court orders.

READ ALSO: APC, Rivers REC Disagree Over DSS, Election Material Inspection

However, the bailiff said he could not serve the commissioner as he had travelled out of the state.

On another hand, counsel to Chidoka, Osita Nnadi had applied for the subpoena to enable INEC to tender some electoral materials used for the conduct of the poll in the area.

The tribunal eventually adjourned the petition till Tuesday, September 8 for continuation of hearing since the INEC failed to appear before it.

Meanwhile, following the many cases before the election tribunal across the country, former Lagos state police boss, Abubakar Tsav and the immediate past minister of interior, Abba Moro over a week ago on their part also warned President Muhammadu Buhari sternly not to interfere in the ongoing litigations of the 2015 general elections.

The post INEC Warned For Disregarding Orders From Tribunal appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.