INEC halts release of committee’s findings

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that it has halted making public the outcome of the investigation by its committee on Imo North senatorial district election.

A national commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, in a statement on Tuesday, also said the development was as a result of ex-parte order served on the commission.

He stated that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, had sued INEC a day after it set up the committee.

He added that the suit had been adjourned to 30 April 2019 for hearing.

Haruna said, “Further to our statement of 4, April 2019 on the setting up of a committee by INEC to investigate the veracity or otherwise of allegations of misconduct in the Imo North senatorial election, the Commission wishes to inform the public that the committee has completed its assignment.

“However, the commission has been served with an ex parte order halting further action on the matter.

“The order issued by the Federal High Court Abuja on 9th April 2019. specifically ordered the Commission to stay “All further proceedings and actions  by the respondent (INEC) pertaining, relating or connected with the declaration of Imo North Senatorial District election results of 23,  February and 9 March 2019, pending the determination of the application for prohibition.”

“The case which was instituted by Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, the All Progressives Congress,  candidate, against INEC a day after it set up committee has been adjourned to 30, April 2019 for hearing.”