By Aaron Ossai
An Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Hon. Justice M.G Umar yesterday April 27dismissed an application by the immediate past Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha to be joined in a suit no FHC/ABJ/CV/1308/2025; Amobi Ogah v Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha had, in an application filed by her solicitors, Legal Assent of Wuse, Zone 6, Abuja, sought the leave of court to join in a suit seeking a mandamus order against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conclude criminal investigations and charge Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for alleged forgery of some election results at the 2023 National Assembly Election in respect of the Isuikuwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State. The allegations of election forgery had been in contention all through the Election Tribunal proceedings, between Hon Amobi Ogah and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, from the Electoral Tribunal to the Court of Appeal where judgement was delivered in favour of Hon Amobi Ogah.Hon Ogah had insisted through his lawyers that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC should prosecute Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for forgery of the election result she produced at the Tribunal.
INEC had also denied in the course of the proceedings that the result she presented in the Tribunal did not emanate from their office, thereby confirming the authenticity of the result presented by Hon Amobi Ogah at the hearing.
Reacting to today's ruling, counsel to Hon. Ogah, Umeh Kalu, SAN who led his team of lawyers from Seasons Law Firm in the course of hearing of the application, applauded the Honourable Court's judgment, stating that it is in sync with the law and facts presented at the hearing.He reiterated that Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha had no business in joining the proceedings, as the matter can be effectively and effectively determined between the applicant, Hon Amobi Ogah and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the defendant.
The Counsel to Nkiru Onyejeocha, who was represented at the ruling by John Agim, SAN stated that they would review the ruling and decide on their next step.
