A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others not to prosecute the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Ahmed Dahiru, popularly known as Binani.
Justice Donatus Okorowo also ordered the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to maintain the status quo in the matter.
The judge further ordered an accelerated hearing in the matter.
The orders followed an ex parte application by counsel to Binani, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), Monday, seeking to stop the defendants from prosecuting her or any persons for electoral offences relating to the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa State.
Binani had on April 26 withdrawn a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to be declared winner of the April 15 governorship election in Adamawa State.
She had contended that the Election Petitions Tribunal set up by the Nigerian Constitution has the power to declare the winner of the governorship election.
She said after her initial declaration as the winner of the election, INEC usurped the powers of the tribunal by declaring her return as null and void.
She averred that Fintiri lost the April 15 governorship election and resorted to “fighting and causing public disturbance which led to the beating and manhandling of one of the first respondents (INEC)’s staff.”
The suit was adjourned until July 18 for hearing.
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