Court Suspends Dino Melaye’s Recall

The court told both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Senator Melaye to maintain “status quo” in the suit the senator filed by his lawyer Mike Ozekhome.

Speaking after the verdict, Ozekhome explained that maintaining statusquo meant the INEC should halt the plan to proceed with the recall of the Kogi senator.

According to the lawyer, the order was made exparte, which means it is to be immediately complied with.

“The court gave an order exparte saying that parties should maintain statusquo until it hears our motion for interlocutory injunction; because we had filed a motion for interlocutory injunction,” Ozekhome said.

“Now parties have all been asked to let things remain as they are, till September 29 when the court will entertain arguments on the interlocutory injunction seeking to stop INEC from proceeding with.”

Melaye had earlier in the week filed a suit at the court after about 52 percent of registered voters in his constituents reportedly his recall process from the National Assembly.

The senator prayed the court to declare the petition submitted to INEC as illegal and unconstitutional. He also asked the court to nullify the recall, saying it breached his rights.

INEC had listed its planned procedure for the recall process. The process had been slated to begin on July 10.

Justice Tsoho in his ruling on Thursday said the state of affairs remain the same pending hearing of the Melaye’s motion seeking an interlocutory injunction.

He then fixed September 29 for hearing of the motion.

Thank You Jesus. Status quo should be maintained says Federal High Court Abuja on the fake recall case. Yahaya Bello is a loser.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 6, 2017