As Rep Amobi Ogah scores legal win

An Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice M.G. Umar, on Monday, April 27, 2026, dismissed an application filed by former Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, seeking to be joined in an ongoing suit marked FHC/ABJ/CV/1308/2025 between Amobi Ogah and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit, instituted by Ogah, seeks an order of mandamus compelling INEC to conclude investigations and prosecute Onyejeocha over allegations bordering on the alleged forgery of election results connected to the 2023 National Assembly election for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State.

In her application, Onyejeocha—through her counsel, Legal Assent of Wuse 6, Abuja—had sought the court’s permission to be joined in the proceedings, arguing that the matter touches directly on her electoral contest and related allegations.

However, counsel to the applicant in the substantive suit, Umeh Kalu, SAN, leading the legal team from Seasons Law Firm, opposed the joinder application, arguing that the case could be effectively determined without Onyejeocha being made a party.

Delivering ruling, the court dismissed the application, effectively upholding the position that the substantive dispute is between Ogah and INEC.

The allegations of result forgery have trailed the disputed 2023 National Assembly election, featuring prominently in proceedings from the election tribunal up to the Court of Appeal, which reportedly ruled in favour of Ogah in the underlying electoral contest.

Ogah’s legal team has consistently maintained that INEC should investigate and prosecute alleged irregularities connected to the results presented during the tribunal proceedings.

Reacting to the ruling, Umeh Kalu, SAN, described the court’s decision as consistent with the law and the facts presented, insisting that Onyejeocha’s joinder was unnecessary for the resolution of the substantive matter.

Counsel to Onyejeocha, John Agim, SAN, however, said the legal team would study the ruling before deciding on possible next steps.