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2023: NJC issues policy direction on political, election-related cases

 



By Agency Report/our Abuja correspondent



The National Judicial Council (NJC) has issued a new policy direction on the handling of political and election-related matters.


The new policy, as contained in a statement issued by Mr Soji Oye, the Director of Information, in Abuja, was issued at the NJC’s 98th meeting held on Wednesday and gives strict rules to politicians on where they should file their political and election-related cases.



The NJC, which is under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Tanko Muhammad noted that the policy directions was issued in order to remedy the situation of multiplicity of litigations of political suits at different Courts of coordinate jurisdiction across the nation, resulting in conflicting orders on the same issues and facts.


The Directions, which is to all the Federal and State Courts is pursuant to the powers vested in the NJC by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Schedule III, Part I, 21 (i).


These Policy Directions, the council said, shall apply to all suits filed in any Court in Nigeria wherein the Parties include Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), any political party or its officers, any other person, natural or legal, suing or sued for a declaration in relation to any action taken or to compel or restrain any action.


The NJC said the objectives of the policy seeks also to recognise that Courts need to embrace prudential limitations on their powers with a view to curtailing the incidences of unscrupulous forum shopping disrupting the administration of justice and the democratic process.


The NJC said all suits to which these Policy Directions apply shall be filed, received, or entertained only at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in so far as the relief sought, or potential consequential order(s) or declaration(s) may restrain or compel persons or actions beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any one State;


Where such suits are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, the council said, they shall be filed or received at Abuja and assigned by the Chief Judge of the Court;


“Heads of Court shall exercise their rule-making and administrative powers to give effect to these Policy Directions.


“These directions shall take effect from May 11”, the council said.



NAN


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