NJC issues new policy to check conflicting orders, judgments

The National Judicial Council has issued policy directions on political and election-related cases to the head of courts in Nigeria.

The organization said it was part of concerted efforts to eliminate to the bearest minimum incidences of issuance of conflicting orders and judgments capable of disrupting the ongoing electioneering process.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dr Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad Presided over the meeting where the policy directions were formulated.

Under the new direction, Heads of Courts are to be henceforth be held responsible for loopholes in their areas of jurisdiction

A statement issued on Wednesday by the NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, indicated that the policy direction was formulated at its 98th meeting on May 10 and 11 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

The Directions to all Federal and State Courts reads:

“Pursuant to the powers vested in the National Judicial Council by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Schedule III, Part I, 21 (i), a new policy direction is hereby issued.

These Policy Directions shall apply to all suits filed in any court in Nigeria wherein the parties include Independent National Electoral Commission, any political party or its officers, any other person, natural or legal, suing or sued for a declaration in relation to any action taken or to compel or restrain any action or omission with respect to the affairs of a political party or any election into a public office.

“These Directions seek to: prevent the multiplicity of litigations at different courts of coordinate jurisdiction across the nation, resulting in conflicting orders on the same issues and facts;

“Recognise that courts need to embrace prudential limitations on their powers with a view to curtailing the incidences of unscrupulous forum shopping disrupting the administration of justice and the democratic process; and

“Acknowledge that the circumstances necessitate further administrative measures and procedures to complement and support the judicial process.

“All suits to which these Policy Directions apply shall be filed, received, or entertained only at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in so far as the relief sought, or potential consequential order (s) or declaration (s) may restrain or compel persons or actions beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any one State;

“Where such suits are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, they shall be filed or received at Abuja and assigned by the Chief Judge of the Court;

All such suits wherein the cause of action arose in a State and the relief seeks a declaration or to compel or restrain person (s), natural or legal, within that State’s territory, with no consequence outside the State, shall be filed, received, or heard only in that State;