Court reserves judgment in Olawepo-Hashim’s suit against Accord, INEC

THE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reserved judgment in a suit filed by a chieftain of Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking an order compelling the party to recognize him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and forward his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar reserved judgment to a date that would be communicated to parties when it is ready, after counsel in the matter adopted their written submissions for and against the suit.

Adopting his arguments, the plaintiff’s counsel, Henry Akunebu, SAN, urged the court to direct Accord Party to immediately forward Olawepo-Hashim’s name to INEC as its presidential candidate and to direct the electoral body to accept and recognize him accordingly.

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He challenged the credibility of documents exhibited by the party and INEC, particularly a letter purportedly cancelling the party’s primaries, arguing that, it lacked the party’s official stamp and imprimatur and was addressed to INEC chairman but received only by an unnamed national commissioner.