BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to issue certificate of return to the former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha as senator to represent Imo West senatorial District.
Okorocha had approched the court over the decision of INEC to withold his certificate of return over alleged by a returning officer that the result of the election was declared under duress.
Justice Obon Abang on Friday June 7, in the judgment ordered INEC to issue certificate of return to Okorocha ss well as publish his name on the commission website as duly elected senator to represent Imo West Senatorial District in the last general election.
The judge said that INEC has no power power to withhold certificate of return once result is announced and winner declared, stating that the issue of ‘duress’ is unknown to electoral act and consitution of the nation.