2023 Elections: Court Gives Final Order Stopping INEC From Using MC Oluomo…

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from contracting Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo to distribute 2023 election materials in Lagos State.

The order also restricted the electoral body from using its privies or any persons acting under its directions from contracting, partnering or appointing any of MC Oluomo’s members and/or drivers in distributing materials in the state.

This is the judgment of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke in a suit filed by Labour Party, its governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-vivour and four others.

The other applicants in the suit are: African Democratic Congress, Boot Party and their governorship candidates, Funsho Doherty, and Wale Oluwo respectively.

The court had on Monday granted an interim order on the issue before adjourning to hear the substantive case.

Hearing in the substantive case came up on Wednesday after which the court adjourned till Friday (today) for its judgment.

The applicants through their lawyer, Abass Ibrahim, in a motion on notice filed and argued before the court, had asked for the following reliefs: “a declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee by INEC to distribute 2023 election materials and personnel in Lagos State violates Section 26 and 27 of the Electoral Act 2022 and consequently unlawful, null and void.

“A declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee (established by Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State) and any of its members and/or drivers by INEC to distribute election materials and personnels in Lagos State will give room for election sabotage, manipulation, and rigging in favour of the APC and consequently unlawful and illegal, as well as other declarations.

INEC did not file any response to the suit, neither was it represented by any lawyer, despite been served with all the processes in the suit as ordered by the court.

Alleged Laundering: Federal Lawmaker Arrested With $498,100 In Rivers…

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a federal lawmaker representing Federal Constituency 2 in the House of Representatives, Chinyere Igwe.
with $498,100 on suspicion of attempted vote buying and money laundering.

The lawmaker who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 in the House of Representatives was arrested along Aba Road in the state capital.

It was gathered that the suspect was picked up by men of the Command on stop and search duty at about 2:45 pm on Thursday.  Also found in his possession was a list for the distribution of the money.

Police Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Friday.

She said the suspect was apprehended close to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of elections, Abutu Yaro, has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment in court.

Members of the public are encouraged to avail themselves of the following hotlines to report any observation they believe have the potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order: 08032003514, 08098880134.

This is coming barely two days after the premises of Atlantic TV and Wish FM belonging to Mr Igwe was attacked with explosives.