Judiciary Cannot Dictate to INEC Over Deregistration, Lawyer Says

Monday Ubani, chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association Electoral Committee, stated that the judiciary cannot dictate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

In an interview on Arise Television’s “Day Break,” Ubani said INEC is clearly independent under the Nigerian constitution.

His comments came after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and four other political parties.

However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a stay on Tuesday, halting the execution of the judgment that directed INEC to deregister the ADC and the other parties.

Responding to the development, Ubani said, “Justice Lifu on Monday ordered INEC in its judgment to deregister those political parties.”

“INEC filed a counter affidavit after taking the administrative action the constitution has given them powers to, and found that those parties are not in breach.”