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Abuja Federal High Court rules suit was abuse of process
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INEC free to proceed with Warri delineation
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Plaintiffs to pay 10% interest annually until judgement sum is cleared
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a legal challenge filed by Hon. Appearance Afejuku and Mr. Emmanuel Nunu, aimed at halting the delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.
Delivering judgment on Monday in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/443/2024, Justice Omotosho described the case as “a gross abuse of court process” and lacking in merit.
The court not only struck out the suit entirely but awarded ₦4 million in damages against the plaintiffs, with interest set at 10% per annum until the judgement is fully complied with.
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The suit had sought to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting any fresh delineation within Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas an exercise long demanded by advocacy groups who allege political marginalisation in the constituency.
Justice Omotosho, however, ruled that there was no legal basis for the injunction, clearing the path for INEC to proceed with the long-delayed boundary adjustments.
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The ruling is seen as a legal win for several communities and stakeholders who have persistently pushed for fairer representation and electoral balance in the Warri axis.
The delineation effort is expected to address long-standing claims of underrepresentation by minority ethnic groups and enable INEC to comply with constitutional obligations on electoral fairness.
INEC has yet to issue a formal statement on next steps or timelines for implementing the delineation exercise, but political actors and residents across Delta State are already anticipating a rollout.
