APC Loses Bid To Prosecute Obiano Over Alleged Multiple Registration

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, February 03, (THEWILL) -  All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday lost its bid to compel the police to investigate and prosecute Anambra State governor-elect, Willie Obiano, over alleged multiple registration.

This is as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Justice Gabriel Kolawole dismissed an application to that effect filed by the party.

In the motion ex parte brought by the counsel to APC, John Aineto, the party  had prayed the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to prosecute Obiano in accordance with section 12(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 and section 4 and 23 of the Police Act.

But Justice Kolawole in his ruling  held that it would offend the law to grant the reliefs without notifying the governor-elect who would be affected by the decision of the court moreso when there was no criminal charges against him with respect to the alleged multiple registration.

He also observed that the APC motion on notice was not supported by an affidavit, saying  he could not exercise judicial discretion on the matter.

APC had claimed that it discovered that Obiano, candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in the Anambra State governorship, engaged in multiple registration just before the election.

"From the voter  register, the applicant discovered facts and evidence of multiple registration by Obiano, Maduabuachi Wille who was issued a voters registration number: (VIN)90F5B13B88377091121 at 2.

18 pm on August 21, 2013 and another number: 90F5B15E7D378200332 at 2.

18 pm on August 3, 2013.
"Further investigation revealed that Obiano, Maduabuchi Willie had earlier registered at Ifako/Soluyi Ward 2 Polling Unit 060 (Junction of Oluwakemi Street) Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State with number VIN 90F5BO1296204172 with serial number 461," APC had stated.