Justice John Tsoho, chief judge of the Federal High Court, has issued new practice directions for speedy determination of 2023 pre-election matters.

This is contained in a statement issued by the FHC assistant director of information, Catherine Oby-Christopher. The directive took effect on June 28.

He said the directives were issued pursuant to the power conferred on the chief judge by sections 254, 285 (9), (10) and (14) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 29(5) and 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended).

“The purpose of this practice directions is to provide for a fair, impartial and expeditious determination of pre-election cases. It is also to ensure that in all election matters, the parties focus on matters which are genuinely in issue,” he said.

The practice directions will apply to every pre-election matter brought

pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended). He said it would apply notwithstanding the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

“The chief judge of the Federal High Court may direct that matters be transferred to the appropriate Division or any other Division as may be reasonably practicable considering the given circumstances,” he said.

Mr Tsoho further mentioned that a party challenging the conduct or outcome of a primary election would join as a respondent in the suit, the person who emerged winner of the election or whose name was forwarded by his political party to the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC).

(NAN)