INEC did not file any response to the suit as it insists it does not have any personal agreement with MC Oluomo.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from contracting transport union leader, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, to distribute 2023 election materials in Lagos.
In a suit filed by the Labour Party and others, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke also restricted the electoral umpire from using its privies or any persons acting under its directions from contracting, partnering or appointing any of MC Oluomo’s members and/or drivers in distributing materials in the state.
Other applicants in the suit are the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour; African Democratic Congress, Boot Party and their governorship candidates, Funsho Doherty, and Wale Oluwo respectively.
The court had on Monday granted an interim order on the matter before adjourning till Wednesday to hear the substantive case. On Wednesday, it adjourned till Friday (today) for judgement.
The applicants through their lawyer, Abass Ibrahim, in a motion on notice filed and argued before the court, had asked for the following reliefs: “a declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee by INEC to distribute 2023 election materials and personnel in Lagos State violates Section 26 and 27 of the Electoral Act 2022 and consequently unlawful, null and void.
READ ALSO:
MC Oluomo: Lagos REC won’t be redeployed – INEC
“A declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee (established by Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State) and any of its members and/or drivers by INEC to distribute election materials and personnel in Lagos State will give room for election sabotage, manipulation, and rigging in favour of the APC and consequently unlawful and illegal.
“A declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee or any of its members and/or drivers by INEC to distribute 2023 election materials and personnel in Lagos State is unlawful, wrongful, unjust and/or unreasonable and should be immediately stopped.
“An order setting aside any partnership, undertaking, contract and/or MOU of any form or nature executed by Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo, the Lagos State Parks Management Committee or any of its members and/or drivers with INEC to distribute election materials and personnel in Lagos State.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC and/or their privies or any persons acting under their directions from contracting, partnering or appointing Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo, Lagos State Parks Management Committee or any of its members and/or drivers to distribute 2023 election materials and personnel in Lagos State.”
INEC did not file any response to the suit, nor was it represented by any lawyer. The commission insists it does not have any personal agreement with MC Oluomo.