A federal high court in Abuja has authorized Amobi Ogah, a House of Representatives member, to pursue a legal order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and prosecute Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, for allegedly forging election results during the 2023 elections.
On September 23, Justice M.G. Umar granted Ogah’s ex parte application, allowing the Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, who represents Isikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in Abia State, to file for a mandamus order.
Ogah claims Onyejeocha, a former representative and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, submitted falsified polling unit results to the election tribunal.
In the February 2023 election, INEC declared Ogah the winner with 11,769 votes, defeating Onyejeocha, who secured 8,752 votes. Onyejeocha challenged the result at the tribunal, which in September 2023 nullified Ogah’s victory and declared her the winner.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned the tribunal’s ruling in November 2023, reinstating Ogah.In a petition to then-INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu on April 14, 2024, Ogah alleged that Onyejeocha presented forged results for 63 polling units at the tribunal, distinct from the certified results issued by INEC in Umuahia and Abuja.
Ogah, who chairs the House Committee on Tuberculosis and Malaria, explained the delay in his petition was due to the time needed to gather evidence.
Ogah’s September 2024 ex parte motion sought to compel INEC to investigate and prosecute Onyejeocha for electoral fraud. Justice Umar’s ruling granted leave for Ogah to file the substantive mandamus motion, with the case adjourned to November 11 for further hearing.
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