I am a legal practitioner. I am not a registered member of any political party in Nigeria. I am equally not an employee of any government. I owe no allegiance to anybody except the truth, justice and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I was the lead counsel to Sen David Mark at the Supreme Court in the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court yesterday.
When I checked INEC portal it was clear that INEC without prompting has restored to their portal the leadership of ADC. See INEC portal at:inecnigeria.org/political-
For me the restoration of the names of the leadership of ADC on INEC portal as shown on INEC Portal above is the right thing to do.
The decision of the Supreme Court yesterday was clear. The appeal of Sen David Mark was allowed in part. The order of the Court of Appeal for “maintainance of status quo ante bellum” was held to have been made without jurisdiction and accordingly set aside. It was the order of the Court of Appeal that INEC said it acted upon when it removed Sen David Mark and his Exco from their portal.
INEC as a corporate entity has accorded respect to the decision of the Supreme Court without pretending that it was yet to be served formally with the judgment of the Supreme Court. That is the right thing to do in the circumstances. INEC was represented in the Supreme Court. The prompt restoration of the leadership of ADC to INEC portal is commendable.That is how it should be under the rule of law. Until we agree to be bound by the rule of law and due process and avoid taking the laws into our hands Nigeria developments will be a mirage.
INEC in this particular case exhibited rare understanding of respect for the rule of law without waiting to be served with the judgment of the Supreme Court as some institutions and other highly placed Nigerian government officials will always do.
Too many in power have no respect for court and courts orders. In most cases impunity reigns supreme in our land. Even within the legal profession courts processes and orders are disregarded for personal benefit and in abuse of power.
Today many in privileged positions abused their powers and positions against the people and the society they are meant to serve by disrespecting judgments and orders of courts. Examples are legions. The abuse of power cut across all the strata of the country. Even in the legal profession powers are being abused. The security agencies abused their powers too. Everyone appears to be law unto themselves in this country.
On this particular occasion I must commend INEC for their prompt restoration of the leadership of ADC on their portal without waiting for letters from the legal team of Sen David Mark. INEC must do what it needs to do for the good of Nigeria and democracy. INEC must be bold and courageous to attain good success in protecting and safeguarding Nigerian democracy.
Chief Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, SAN
