The Supreme Court is now set to hear two appeals filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the legality of the Local Government (LG) election conducted in Rivers State in 2024.
Following the conclusion of the preliminary proceedings, Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, who led a five-member panel, had ordered parties to file and exchange their respective briefs before the 10th of February, 2025.
The appeals are against a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which reversed an earlier decision by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the LG election.
Justice Lifu had made his decision on the grounds that conditions for the conduct of such election were not met by RSIEC.
In reversing the Federal High Court judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and issue the orders.
