The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will appeal the judgment directing it to issue a Certificate of Return to former Governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha.
Okorocha received his certificate of return as winner of Imo West Senatorial District election held Feb. 23.
INEC made the disclosure in a statement issued by Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said the commission issued the certificate to Okorocha in compliance with an Abuja Federal High Court that directed it to do so.
Okoye said the issuance of the certificate to Okorocha once again demonstrated its commitment to obeying court judgment, including those it might have reservations.
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He said that the decision was reached on Tuesday after the commission met and considered 14 Memoranda involving judgments and orders in pre-election matters relating to the issuance of certificates and or withdrawal of certificates already issued in pre-election matters.
“Amongst the memoranda considered, is the one concerning the judgment on the Imo West Senatorial district by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“The Commission decided to comply with the court judgment by issuing a certificate of return to the plaintiff, Rochas Okorocha in compliance with the judgment and Orders of Hon. Justice Okon Abang.
“It will also appeal against the said judgment.”
Okoye said that in arriving at the decision, the commission also took into consideration, the orders issued by two High Courts in Owerri Judicial Division.
He said the orders were issued in suits No. HOW/ 596/2019 issued on May 23, 2019 and another dated the June 11, 2019 issued in suit No. HOW/663/2019 restraining the commission from issuing certificate of return in respect of the said senatorial district.
The national commissioner said that INEC noted that both were interim orders issued ex parte and not final orders of court.
Okoye said that in obeying the judgment, the commission was demonstrating, once again, its longstanding commitment of complying with all orders of court, including those with which it may have reservations.