The Federal High Court in Abuja has reversed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to de-register the Youth Party of Nigeria, YPN.

The court in its ruling noted that the decision of the electoral body is an abuse of the political party’s right to fair hearing.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, while passing his judgement, noted that INEC breached YPN’s right by de-registering it despite a pending case the party filed against INEC’s earlier threat.

Justice Ekwo’s ruling was on a suit filed by the Youth Party, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/10/2020, which had INEC as the sole defendant.

The judge ruled that although INEC is empowered under Section 255(a) of the Constitution to de-register political parties, such power must be exercised within the armbit of the law.

He said, “I condemn the action of the defendant in de-registering the plaintiff while its case was pending.”

Justice Ekwo further stated that the decision of the commission to de-register the party during the pendency of the case amounted to an arbitrary exercise of powers

Counsel to the party, Barr. John Ochogwu, while reacting to the ruling expressed happiness with the Judgment of the court.

Ochogwu urged INEC to always observe the Rule of law in the discharge of its statutory duties.

Source: Naija News