Court rejects Itsekiri's attempt to stop fresh delineation in Warri Federal Constituency

The Federal  High Court, Warri Division has rejected an interim application by the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to stop the Supreme Court Ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in Warri Federal Constituency comprising of Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas) of Delta State. 

The ruling of the Court delivered by Justice I. M. Sani Thursday, the 23rd day of May, 2024 was sequel to an Ex-parte motion in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/46/2024 filed by the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality through their Lawyer, Chief Robinson Ariyo. 

Ariyo had argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be stopped from taking further steps in  respect of the Supreme Court's  ordered of fresh delineation of electoral wards and units until the determination of the motion on notice, an argument the court flatly rejected. 

It would be recalled that the Supreme Court on the 2nd day of December, 2022 in Appeal No.: S/413/2016: Hon. George Timinimi & 9 Ors v INEC had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to carry out fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West LGAs before the conduct of future elections. 

INEC has commenced the process of implementing the judgment by facilitating stakeholders'  meeting at Asaba and Abuja.  

Meanwhile, the Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri Federal Constituency have, through their Lawyers,  Eric Omare and Sunny Emuveyan applied to be joined as interested parties in the matter at the Federal High Court, Warri.
 
The Court adjourned the substantive suit to July 16th, 2024 for the consideration of the Joinder applications by Counsel.