Judge: I Did Not Stop INEC from Publishing List of Ondo PDP Candidates

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By Tobi Soniyi


Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of a Federal High Court in Abuja has debunked claims that he restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from publishing the names of candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the National and State Assembly elections from Ondo State.

Justice Mohammed stated that he rather abridged the time from 15th to 6th of January to enable Justice Adeniyi Ademola who had granted an interim order on the matter to determine whether there is a contempt of court or not in the interim orders he made on December 18.

A certified true copy of the court’s proceedings made available to our correspondent corroborated the judge’s position.

The CTC read: “It is clear that the controversy centres around whether Hon. Justice Ademola has directed the 2nd alleged contemnor (INEC) to either accept list of candidates for election into the state Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate for Ondo State from the plaintiffs only, or from the first alleged contemnor (PDP) only.

“This suit is still pending before Hon. Justice Ademola and my Lord only adjourned the matter to January 15th for hearing of the plaintiff’s motion on notice. Sitting as vacation court, this court came into the matter as a result of the motion ex-parte dated and filed on December 29, 2014 alleging that the first and second alleged contemnors (INEC and PDP) have flouted the orders of Justice Ademola made on December 18, 2014 in suit No:1006/14.

“With the divergent views taken by the parties on whether there is contempt of the orders of Ademola or not, this court is of the view that it is extremely difficult to place any meaningful interpretation on the orders. Made by his lordship, Justice Ademola in suit no:1006/14 having regard to the conflicting interpretation given to it by the parties.

“As thus, the court is resuming from the Christmas and new year vacation on Monday January 5, 2015, I am of the view that the matter ought to await his lordship, Justice Ademola’s attention.”

Justice Mohammed however noted that the gravement of the plaintiff’s complaint in the motion ex-parte dated December 29, 2014 that the 2nd alleged contemnor (INEC) would close the receipt of candidates for the National Assembly elections.

The judge said: “Well, let me note that INEC might have made its guidelines for closing receiving of list of candidates for National Assembly elections by 31st December, but if there is an order of the court directing it to accept the name of any person, then it has the obligation under the 1999 Constitution to obey the court’s order.

“As there is uncertainty as to what is the true intent and purport of the interim order made by Justice Ademola, this court is of the opinion that none of the parties should do anything from now till Tuesday, January 6, 2015 with regard to the subject matter that will render whatever decision that Justice Ademola could make on whether or not there is a disobedience of his interim orders.

“I am of fact that this is the only proper course to take in the circumstances to allow Justice Ademola look into the allegations of whether there is contempt or not in the interim orders he made on December 18.”

The contempt proceedings against INEC and PDP arose from an order by Justice Ademola directing them to relate with Ondo PDP led by Olu Ogunye in respect of the primaries in the state.

scheme in the past 25 years.

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Judge: I Did Not Stop INEC from Publishing List of Ondo PDP Candidates