Nigerian Lawyer Commends INEC for Swift Compliance with Supreme Court Ruling
Jibrin Oktepa, a senior Nigerian attorney who represented Senator David Mark in the recent legal struggle over leadership within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its prompt adherence to a Supreme Court ruling.
In a statement shared on his X account (@sanjsokutepa) on Friday, Oktepa lauded INEC for proactively restoring the ADC leadership position on its portal, prior to the formal delivery of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed Senator Mark to return to the Federal High Court for further examination regarding the leadership dispute within the ADC. This decision followed a March 12 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which dismissed Mark’s appeal against a Federal High Court ruling from September 4.
The case was initiated by Nafiu Bala, a former vice-chairman of ADC, who sought to prevent Mark’s faction from presenting itself as the legitimate leadership of the party. Bala named multiple defendants, including the ADC, Senator Mark, Rauf Aregbesola (the national secretary), INEC, and the party’s founder and former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court’s five-member panel, led by Mohammed Garba, found that there had been a violation of the Court of Appeal’s directive for all parties to maintain the status quo during the case proceedings. The court concluded that the Court of Appeal had overstepped its authority by issuing such an order without the consent of all involved parties.
Oktepa remarked on INEC’s actions, stating that the commission’s prompt restoration of ADC leadership to its portal exemplified commendable respect for the rule of law. He emphasized that such an action, without the delay of awaiting a formal service of judgment, is vital in a nation where legal compliance is often neglected.
Highlighting the importance of adhering to legal frameworks, he criticized those who wait for judicial prompts before complying with court orders, labeling it as an abuse of power. Oktepa urged that Nigeria’s development relies heavily on respect for the rule of law, stating, “The abuse of power permeates all layers of society, and unless we commit to following due process, our collective progress will remain elusive.”
On this occasion, Oktepa expressed deep appreciation for INEC’s boldness in reinstating the ADC’s leadership on the portal without waiting for correspondence from Senator Mark’s legal representatives. He reiterated the necessity for INEC to act in the interests of democracy and public confidence, asserting that to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic integrity, the commission must exercise courage and decisiveness in its operations.
