Court Clears Way for ADA Registration, Orders INEC to Release Access Code
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to generate and release a fresh access code to the leadership of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), led by Chief Akin Ricketts, to facilitate the party’s registration process.
The court directed INEC to release the access code to the recognised Protem Secretary of the association within 72 hours.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu held that INEC acted unlawfully by issuing the access code to Umar Ardo, who was neither the recognised Protem National Chairman nor the Protem Secretary of the association. The court declared all actions taken on behalf of ADA using that access code null and void.
The court also ordered INEC to reopen its registration portal for one week after issuing the new access code, enabling ADA to upload its membership register and other statutory registration documents.
Chief Akin Ricketts, through his counsel, Stephen Atabo, had challenged INEC’s decision to issue the access code to Umar Ardo instead of the recognised leadership of the association. The suit sought declarations that the issuance was unlawful and requested the court to compel INEC to provide the correct access code and allow the registration process to continue.
Justice Lifu dismissed preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit, including claims that it was statute-barred under Section 76 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The court held that the provision did not apply because INEC had not formally refused ADA’s registration.
According to the court, there was no evidence that INEC had denied ADA registration, and therefore the registration process remained ongoing.
BREAKING
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to generate and release a fresh access code to the leadership of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), led by Chief Akin Ricketts, to facilitate the party’s registration process.
The court directed INEC to release the access code to the recognised Protem Secretary of the association within 72 hours.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu held that INEC acted unlawfully by issuing the access code to Umar Ardo, who was neither the recognised Protem National Chairman nor the Protem Secretary of the association. The court declared all actions taken on behalf of ADA using that access code null and void.
The court also ordered INEC to reopen its registration portal for one week after issuing the new access code, enabling ADA to upload its membership register and other statutory registration documents.
Chief Akin Ricketts, through his counsel, Stephen Atabo, had challenged INEC’s decision to issue the access code to Umar Ardo instead of the recognised leadership of the association. The suit sought declarations that the issuance was unlawful and requested the court to compel INEC to provide the correct access code and allow the registration process to continue.
Justice Lifu dismissed preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit, including claims that it was statute-barred under Section 76 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The court held that the provision did not apply because INEC had not formally refused ADA’s registration.
According to the court, there was no evidence that INEC had denied ADA registration, and therefore the registration process remained ongoing.
