The Federal High Court, Abuja will on March 21 commence hearing on the objection of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to its order, stopping the commission from continuing with collation and announcement of results of Bauchi polls.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Tuesday, restrained INEC from taking further action in any matters relating to the governorship election conducted in Bauchi on March 9, 2019.
Justice Ekwo, in his bench ruling fixed March 21, for hearing of all issues relating to the Bauchi governorship polls.
He stopped INEC from proceeding with the collation, conclusion and announcement of the result of the governorship election in Bauchi state.
However, in a counter affidavit filed by the electoral umpire deposed to by one Hassan Adamu, INEC insisted that the Federal High Court had no jurisdiction to dabble into a post-election litigation.
The counter affidavit specifically stated that the matter of post election was exclusively for the Election Petition Tribunal and not any regular court including the Federal High Court.
READ ALSO: Benue Re-run: We Will Not Be Intimidated – Benue Lawmakers
The electoral body further stated that the decision of the Returning Officer in respect of declaration of scores and return of candidate was the exclusive reserve of an Election Petition Tribunal.
INEC maintained that although the governorship election in Bauchi State was declared inconclusive, it however rescinded its decision based on facts that emerged later.
According to INEC, any grievance arising from that rests with the Election Petition Tribunal.
Mr Ahmed Raji, (SAN) Counsel to APC and Bauchi state Governor, Mr Mohammed Abubakar told Justice Ekwo that the counter affidavit and notice of objection to the suit of his client had just been served on him.
Raji said that he needed a short adjournment to respond to the counter affidavit and the notice of objection.
NAN
