REPS SEEK TO MAKE APPEAL COURT FINAL APPELLATE AUTHORITY IN ALL POST-ELECTION CASES

A Bill seeking an amendment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to make to Court of Appeal the final Court for the hearing and determination of petitions on Governorship,  National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections has passed the first reading in House of Representatives.

The Bill, marked HB 1212 and sponsored by the member representing the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Hon Nnamdi Ezechi, aims to streamline the Appeal process for the aforementioned elections by designating the Court of Appeal as the final appellate authority. 

According to Hon Ezechi, the initiative was driven by the intention to mitigate delays and save cost in post-election litigation. 

Also at Wednesday’s plenary, the House received a petition for disobedience to Court Orders by the Nigerian Navy and the Central Bank of Nigeria with respect to one Mr. Isaac Okpanachi’, who was wrongfully dismissed from service.

The petition, which was presented by Hon Nnamdi Ezechi, on behalf of Mr. Okpanachi, a former Lieutenant Commander in the Navy,

highlighted the Navy and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s disregard for Court Order to reinstate and promite him and urged compliance.

Hon Ezechi also presented another petition by Oko, Abuator, Akarai-Etti, Akarai-Obodo Communities, in Ndokwa East, over discrepancies on the part of the Nigerian Petroleum Upstream Regulators, (NUPRC) and OML 26 Settlor Asset Management Team in the OML 26 Settlements and Trusteeship Appointment and other matters.

Upon receiving the petitions, the Speaker,Rt Hon Tajudeen Abass, referred them to to the House Committee on Public Petitions for thorough examination and appropriate action.