Fresh moves to manipulate the 2023 general election by removing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, from office has failed as the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) declared that the INEC chairman cannot be removed over fabricated allegations of false assets declaration.
The court went ahead to bar security agencies from investigating him over his valid assets declaration.
In an originating summons marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022 by Somadina Uzoabaka against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the claimant sought among other things an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down as the chairman of INEC pending the investigation and consideration of the various allegations against him by the various law enforcement agencies.
The claimant also sought an order of court barring the INEC chairman from holding or assuming any public office for a period of 10 years.
Prof. Yakubu, who counter-claimed against the claimant, furnished the court with several exhibits to show the sources of money for the purchase of the properties which the claimant alleged were illegally acquired and insisted that his assets declarations were validly done.
In the well-considered judgment, Justice M. A. Hassan found that the declaration of assets by Prof. Yakubu was lawful, valid and in compliance with the law and that he cannot be investigated by any of the security agencies listed by the claimant that should all investigate him.
The judge declined to grant any of the 14 prayers of the claimant, declaring that the INEC chairman cannot be removed over fabricated allegations of false assets declaration.
The judge, therefore, dismissed the claims of the claimant and allowed the counter-claim of the INEC chairman.
