SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it would suspend the process of recalling the Senator Dino Melaye from the Senate, in compliance with a court order.
The Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee in INEC, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the Commission took the decision at its weekly meeting held in Abuja.
The meeting, according to Soyebi, also approved a policy of comprehensive audit after all elections and that INEC would also draw the attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to the order stopping it from ahead with the process.
THEWILL recalls that INEC had earlier notified Melaye about the receipt of a petition seeking his recall from the upper legislative chamber, a development which prompted the senator to approach the court for injunction restraining the Commission from going ahead with the process.
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 6 ordered INEC and Melaye to maintain the “status quo” until a ruling is passed on the lawmaker’s suit but the Commission went ahead with the process by announcing a timetable for Melaye’s recall from the Senate.
However, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its regular weekly meeting on Thursday and considered the order given by the Court.
“As a responsible, law-abiding institution, INEC will comply with the order,” the statement by Soyebi, after the meeting, read.
“However, the Commission has also decided to take immediate steps to vacate the court order and for the matter to be heard and determined expeditiously.
“Whereas, the court adjourned hearing of the Motion on Notice to 29th September 2017, it should be noted that Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) sets a limit of 90 days from the date of the presentation of the petition (21st June, 2017) for the exercise to be completed.
“The Commission further decided to draw the attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the order in view of its effect on the performance of the Commission’s constitutional duty to conduct the referendum for the recall in Kogi West Senatorial district.”
