KWARA LG POLLS: PDP PRESSES CONTEMPT CHARGE AGAINST KWSIEC 09-09-24
By Sadiq Aminu The federal High Court, Abuja, will on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, consider contempt allegations leveled against the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, KWSIEC.
The court also sustained an Ex Parte Order restraining the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, from releasing election materials to Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, KWSIEC.
Counsels to the Kwara State People’s Democratic Party, PDP, on Friday, September 06, pressed contempt charges against the KWSIEC for disobeying the court order, restraining it from going ahead with the state local government election on September 21, 2024.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Peter Lifu, had restrained KWSIEC from proceeding with the local government elections slated for September 21, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the PDP for interlocutory injunction.
He also restrained INEC from releasing the National Voter Register to KWSIEC for the purpose of conducting the poll.
Justice Lifu further stopped KWSIEC and the State Attorney General (AG) from receiving, accepting, or using the national voter register or any part relating to Kwara State from the electoral body for the Council’s election in Kwara state.
But, at the resumed proceedings on Friday, counsel to the PDP and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Barr. Ademola Abimbola, raised the issue of constant violation and disobedience of the restraining order by KWSIEC.
Abimbola stated that the state electoral body had continued with the election process slated for September 21, 2024 in violation of the court order.
Ruling on the application, Justice Lifu held that allegations of contempt affects the integrity of the court and must be resolved before proceeding.
He therefore asked the PDP to submit a written application as against the oral application about contempt of court by KWSIEC.
Justice Lifu adjourned to Wednesday, September 11, to consider contempt allegations against KWSIEC.