A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has fined the EFCC N500,000 for delaying the trial of former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the National Democratic Party (NDP) as a political party.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgement on February 16, 2026, ruled that the party met all constitutional and legal requirements for registration.
The suit was filed by Ada Frederick Okwori, the National Chairman of the NDP, and three others. The court held that the applicants satisfied the conditions outlined in Sections 222–224 of the 1999 Constitution, Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
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In the ruling, Justice Umar declared:
“A Declaration is hereby made that the Plaintiffs have met all the requirements of Sections 222–224 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and the Defendant’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.”
The court also nullified INEC’s letter dated December 18, 2025, which declined or failed to grant the party’s registration request, describing it as “null, void and of no legal effect.”
Justice Umar ordered INEC to register the NDP forthwith, grant it full political rights, and issue a certificate of registration. He added that if INEC fails to act, the party would be deemed registered under Section 75(4) of the Electoral Act 2022.
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