Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the application of the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Hon. Amobi Ogah, seeking leave to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and prosecute the Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, over alleged forgery of election results in the 2023 general election.
Onyejeocha, who was then a four-term lawmaker and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was accused of falsifying results from 63 polling units in the constituency. She lost the election to Ogah of the Labour Party (LP), whose victory was later affirmed by the election tribunal and the court.
Despite the loss, President Bola Tinubu appointed Onyejeocha as Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
Ogah, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1308/2025, urged the court to compel INEC to investigate and prosecute the minister for alleged forgery and sought “such further orders as the court may deem fit.”
In his ruling, Justice M. G. Umar granted Ogah’s prayers. A certified true copy of the order, dated October 15, 2025, reads in part: “An order is hereby made granting leave to the applicant to apply for an order of mandamus against the respondent, compelling the respondent to investigate and prosecute Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha for the electoral offence of forging election results of polling units within the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.”
The matter was adjourned to November 11, 2025, for hearing.
Speaking to Ikengaonline, Ogah said he pursued the case “to ensure that no electoral offender goes unpunished,” stressing that it was about protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, not personal vendetta.
“The era of subverting the people’s will is over,” he said.
“We will pursue this to the end for the sake of credibility and justice.”
Reacting, Onyejeocha dismissed the development, describing it as “an ex parte order” that merely allows Ogah to file a motion seeking to compel INEC.
“This is just permission for him to file a motion on notice to INEC. At the tribunal, he could not prove any forgery. An INEC staff from the IT department in Abuja tendered all the results, which were admitted as exhibits. Even his own witness from INEC’s legal department confirmed that the documents tendered by my legal team were duly certified by INEC and signed by her,” she said.
The minister added that she was “not a party to the order” and would not be joined in the substantive motion.
“Hon. Onyejeocha is very busy assisting Mr. President to deliver his Renewed Hope Agenda. There’s no cause for panic. 2027 will take care of some of these rantings,” she added.
Political tension in Abia State has continued to rise as activities build up ahead of the 2027 general elections.
