Court orders INEC to issue certificate of return to Rochas Okorocha

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) earred by not issuing certificate of return to former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

Okorocha contested the February 2019 general election and was declared winner of the Imo West senatorial election. The Returning officer, Prof Francis Ibeawuchi announced the results at the collation center in Orlu Local Government.

He later turned around and declared that he announced Okorocha winner because he was kidnapped by the former governor and forced to declare him winner at gun point. The development forced INEC to withold his certificate of return.

At the hearing of the motion filed by the former governor challenging INEC decision, Justice Okon Abang held that the decision to deprive Okorocha of the certificate was a lawless one adding that only the returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has the constitutional authority to declare a winner.

It added that any person declared winner by the returning officer remains the winner until a competent court or tribunal declares otherwise.