The Abuja Federal High Court had on Friday, halted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting the coming local government elections in the state.
Justice Peter Lifu had issued an order of interim injunction against the electoral board while consequently delivering a ruling in a motion ex-parte presented to him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The motion ex-parte was filed by a team of senior lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Ogwu James Onoja, all SANs on behalf of the APC.
The judges also directed the Rivers Electoral Commission and Rivers Attorney-General from receiving from INEC or using part of the National Voter’s Register relating to Rivers State to organise LG elections in the state.
Additionally, Justice Lifu restrained the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Service (DSS) from participating or providing security protection for the Rivers State Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile, interim orders at this time was to remain in force until the determination of the substantive suit in which the APC is challenging the propriety of the conduct of elections in Rivers local governments.
The judge has fixed August 2 for the defendants to appear before him for the hearing of the substantive matter.
