PER GARBA, J.S.C:
“Once again, the facts in this appeal have illustrated the impunity displayed by political parties in the process of nominating candidates for elections in the Country. It must be emphasized that political parties must comply and obey the provisions of the Electoral Act and their own Constitution and Guidelines in the process of selection and nomination of candidates for elections, if the culture of true constitutional democracy is to be cultivated and imbibed in our governance. This position has been repeatedly stated by this Court in several decisions including: Emeka v. Okadigbo (2012) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1331) 55, Yar. Adua v. Yandoma (2015) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1448) 123 at 182 – 183, PDP v. Oranezi (2018) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1618) 260, APC v. Lere (2020) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1705) 254, Jegede v. INEC (2021) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1797) 409, UBA v. Moghalu (2022) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1853) 271 at 311 – 312, (2022) LPELR – 57876 (SC).
However, a very disturbing dimension was shown to have been introduced in the facts of the appeal, and that is, forgery of the judicial processes of a court of record in the desperate and criminal attempt to subvert the clear provisions of the Electoral Act on the substitution of candidates already nominated to INEC for elections. To go to the extent of forging an affidavit alleged to have been sworn before a Commissioner of Oath in a non-existent Registry of a High Court, in support of a forged letter of withdrawal by a candidate, is a very serious and heinous act of criminal subversion of administration and cause of justice. Such acts are better nipped in the bud with appropriate legal penalties to serve as a deterrent to desperate politicians and political parties.”
(SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA IN EKWE V. AMADI – SC/CV/281/2023 Delivered on Friday, 31st March 2023)