In a recent development, Justice I. M. Sani of the Federal High Court, Warri Division, has dismissed an interim application brought forth by the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to halt the implementation of a Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in Warri Federal Constituency. This constituency encompasses Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State.
The ruling, delivered on May 23, 2024, follows a motion ex-parte in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/46/2024, filed by the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality through their legal representative, Chief Robinson Ariyo.
Chief Ariyo argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should suspend any further actions regarding the fresh delineation until the determination of the motion on notice. However, the court rejected this argument.
This legal dispute stems from a landmark decision by the Supreme Court on December 2, 2022, in Appeal No.: S/413/2016: Hon. George Timinimi & 9 Ors v INEC. The Supreme Court directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West LGAs before the upcoming elections.
INEC has already initiated the process by organizing stakeholder meetings in Asaba and Abuja.
In light of these proceedings, the Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri Federal Constituency have taken legal action to participate in the matter. Lawyers representing the Ijaws and Urhobos, Eric Omare and Sunny Emuveyan respectively, have applied to join as interested parties in the ongoing case at the Federal High Court, Warri Division.
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