A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Garki, Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the investigation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged false assets declaration.

In the judgment on Wednesday, Justice Maryam Hassan found that Yakubu complied with all relevant requirements in declaring his assets.

Justice Hassan held that the declaration of assets by the INEC chairman was lawful, valid, and in compliance with the law.

The judge further held that having complied with the relevant laws in his assets declaration, Yakubu could not be investigated by any of the nation’s security agencies, as requested by the claimant.

Justice Hassan, who declined to grant any of the 14 reliefs sought in the suit, declared that the INEC Chairman could not be removed from office over an unsubstantiated allegation of false assets declaration.

The suit against Yakubu and marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022, filed by Somadina Uzoamaka had among others, queried the authenticity of the assets declaration made by Yakubu and urged the court to compel security agencies to probe the INEC boss’ claims.

Also, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) was joined in the suit as a defendant, and the plaintiff prayed the court for an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC Chair to recuse, excuse, and exclude himself and or step down from office pending the investigation of the various allegations against him by security agencies.

The plaintiff also sought an order stopping the INEC Chairman from holding or assuming any public office for 10 years.

In his response, Yakubu faulted Uzoamaka’s claims.

The INEC boss tendered documents before the court to establish the sources of the funds with which he purchased the assets which the claimant claimed were illegally acquired.

Yakubu insisted that his assets declaration was validly done, a position Justice Hassan upheld on Wednesday.

Metro