The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has suspended action on court judgements and orders over the defection of Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe.
In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, INEC through its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye said the decision came after deliberations on a wide range of issues.
Okoye said the commission decided to halt action on Umahi’s defection at the meeting following conflicting orders served on it from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
He noted that the commission engaged its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes served on it and advise it accordinly, adding that INEC has recieved twelve court processes on the matter.
The statemet reads in part, “It will be recalled that INEC met on Thursday, March 17 on the matter, and decided to defer its deliberation on the Ebonyi State cases.
“INEC stepped down the listed Memorandum to enable its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes served on it in the light of the previously served ones and advise the Commission comprehensively.
“Since then, INEC has been served more court processes on the same matter, bringing the total to twelve.”
He added that INEC’s decision also followed the pendency of Appeals and Motions for Stay of Execution of some of the judgements before various divisions of the Court of Appeal.
