OKOTIE SUES INEC OVER DE-REGISTRATION OF FRESH PARTY

Presidential candidate of Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) in the 2011 general elections, Rev. Chris Okotie, has sued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over the de-registration of his party.
Okotie is challenging INEC’s December 6, 2012 decision de-registering FDP, on the basis of the party’s “failure to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).”

Cited as co-defendants are Attorney General of the Federation, National Assembly and Inspector General of Police.
In an originating summons brought pursuant to Order 3 Rule 9 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, the plaintiff, through his counsel, Fred Agbaje, averred that INEC’s action in de-registering FDP, is a violation of the 1999 constitution, especially “as it relates to good governance, welfare of all persons, freedom, equality, justice and above all, the principles of democracy, franchise and social justice.

Okokie is seeking, among others: “A declaration that the first plaintiff has satisfied all the conditions and requirement of a political party as stipulated under the Electoral Act 2010 and therefore is an extant political party in Nigeria”.
Shortly after the matter was mentioned, the court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, adjourned to April 23, to enable parties file and exchange processes.
Source: Daily Independent