Court strikes out APC suit against Anambra Gov-elect

By Joe Nwankwo/Abuja

Willie Obiano

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday dismissed a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking leave to investigate and prosecute Anambra State Governor-elect, Willie Obiano, for alleged multiple registration.
The motion ex-parte brought by APC counsel, John Aineto, had prayed the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to prosecute Obiano in accordance with Section 12(2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 and Sections 4 and 23 of the Police Act.
In his ruling, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that it would offend the law to grant the reliefs without notifying the Governor-elect who will be affected by the decision of the court more so when there is no criminal charges against him with respect to the alleged multiple registration.
The judge also observed that the APC’s motion on notice was not supported by an affidavit, adding that he could not exercise judicial discretion on the matter.
The APC had contended that it discovered that Obiano, candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election, engaged in multiple registration for the last governorship election in the state.
“From the voters’ register, the applicant discovered facts and evidence of multiple registration by Obiano, Maduabuachi Wille who was issued a voters registration number: (VIN) 90F5B13B88377091121 at 2.18 p.m. on August 21, 2013 and another number: 90F5B15E7D378200332 at 2.18 p.m. on August 3, 2013.
“Further investigation revealed that Obiano, Maduabuchi Willie had earlier registered at Ifako/Soluyi Ward 2 Polling Unit 060 (Junction of Oluwakemi Street), Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, with number VIN 90F5BO1296204172 with serial number 461,” APC stated.