A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Tuesday invalidated the July 2024 local government and councillorship elections, declaring that the polls failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice H.I.O. Oshomah, who delivered the judgment, ordered the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) and the state government to refrain from organising further council elections until the process fully aligns with the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The ruling stems from a suit brought by Mr. Samuel Udeogu and Mr. Isu Amaechi, with representation by Hamilton Ogbodo and Chief Mudi Erhenede, respectively.
After the judgment, lawyer Hamilton Ogbodo stated that “The local government election conducted in July 2024 in Ebonyi State is no more; it has been cancelled by this court.”
He urged the state government to comply with the court order or face contempt proceedings once the appeal window closes.
Chief Mudi Erhenede pointed out that the judgement reaffirmed a previous ruling by the late Justice Riman, which had nullified the 2022 local government polls in the state, a judgment the state government allegedly ignored by swearing in council officials.
