Breaking: Federal High Court Jos Stops Re-Run Election Into Langtang South Seat Of PLHA For Saturday

Yakubu Busari

A Federal high Court siting in Jos has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, , from conducting re-run election in Langtang south for  the state House of Assembly seat on Saturday.

In a suit No :FHC/J/M/16/2017  motion, the judge charged counsel to Independent National Electoral commission  (INEC) to ensure that no election takes place on Saturday, until the determination of matter brought by PDP challenging them.

Justice Dorcas Agishi while delivering her ruling on the application brought by the People Democratic Party, PDP, warned INEC not to go ahead with the conduct of the election on Saturday which she said will be amounting to contempt of court order.

According to her, the court adjourned to 16th of February, 2017 for continuation of hearing and to enable the two counsels harmonize their differences as the PDP counsel will proceed with their response according law.

The appellant counsel, F. O Shaibu applauded the court for the ruling that the judiciary is working

He has earlier filled an application for the stay of execution seeking the court ‘ order of injunction restraining the respondent from conducting rerun election into the seat of member representing Langtang south constituency in the plateau state House of Assembly pending the determination of the appellant to the court of appeal ‘.

The grounds of the application motion of injunction to stop INEC from conducting election in Langtang south seat, the appellant dissatisfied by the decision of the court has appealed to the court of appeal.

Shaibu told the court that if the respondent is not restrained from conducting the election and it goes ahead to do, the appeal of the appellant shall be rendered nugatory.

He said, appeal is the conduct of election with the appellant participating, but if the election is concluded without it and it succeeds on appeal, the success will be empty and money can’t compensate it.

The counsel, Barr Shaibu argues that section 6,6 order 26 rule 2(1) 32 rules of this honourable court, has he entered appearance for,  the Judge warned INEC with contempt of court order if it didn’t stop bye-election in Langtang south.

“If you go ahead you know what the court is capable doing, Court the affidavits was supported with 10 paragraphs and the notice of appeal is hereto annexed as Exhibit, “PDP 1 he said

“You would recalled that the election of Hon Vincent Venman Bulus was quashed over criminal involvement and money laundering by EFCC Two years ago”, he explained.

Hon Bulus was accused defrauding the daughter of the former daughter of Sen Jonah David Jang which affected the primary of PDP in Langtang south member of PLHA.