Dear Colleagues,
In March, 2022, the Federal High Court Umuahia, nullified Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act. Subsequently, upon the Appeal of an interested party, the Court of Appeal set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court Umuahia, before stating, albeit as an Obiter, that the vexed Section is discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) upon becoming aware of the action filed at the Supreme Court, by the President of Nigeria and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation against the National Assembly, seeking to strike down the same Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, brought an application to join the said suit as an interested party or in the alternative be heard as Amicus Curiae.
Thankfully, the Supreme Court heard the arguments of the substantive parties in the suit together with the arguments of the NBA as Amicus Curiae and reserved judgment in the suit to a date to be communicated to parties.
Kindly find attached, a Statement by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, on the steps embarked upon by the NBA in the suit challenging Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act.
