INEC raises concerns over judgment on Okorocha’s certificate of return By Nurudeen Lawal

- INEC said it has reservations over the court judgement that compelled it to issue Okorocha certificate of return - The commission said though it obeyed the order, such development can set a bad precedent for other politicians - Okorocha has since been issued his return certificate and sworn-in The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the Federal High Court's judgement which ordered it to issue certificate of return to Rochas Okorocha as elected senator to represent Imo West. The electoral commission had refused to issue the certificate to Okorocha who was declared winner of the poll after the returning officer reported that he declared the former Imo state governor winner under duress. It, however, rescinded its decision after the court order and issued Okorocha his return certificate. Nevertheless, INEC said it has reservations over the court judgement. "In obeying the judgement, the commission is demonstrating once again its longstanding commitment of complying with all orders of court, including those which it may have reservations. "Obviously, persons who seek elective offices could perceive in this judgement an irrelevance of due process and acting within the law. It is not far-fetched that some of them could in future disregard laid down processes, including voting, arm themselves and mobilize thugs and compel Returning Officers to declare them elected, irrespective of the true outcomes of elections," the commission stated. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that INEC said it will appeal the judgment directing it to issue a Certificate of Return to Okorocha. INEC made the disclosure in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC on Tuesday, June 11 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. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1243226-inec-raises-concerns-judgment-okorochas-certificate-return.html

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