Sacked INEC Staff loses bid to Join REC in Suit

A dismissed staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Cross River State, Mr. Nsed Ayip Akonjom, has lost his bid to drag the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, into his case.

Akonjom, who was sacked on August 20, 2013 following acts of misconduct, had dragged INEC to the National Industrial Court in Calabar seeking for his reinstatement.

The dismissed staff had in the suit no. NICN/CA/166/2013 between Akonjom and INEC, included the Resident Electoral Commissioner as the second defendant.

However, when the case came up on Tuesday in Calabar for ruling on a preliminary objection raised by the defendants counsel, Mr. Clement Onwuenwunor, the court ruled that the name of the second defendant should be removed.

In delivering his ruling, Justice Okojie Bello, averred that the name of Igini should be struck off as party to the suit on the grounds that being an agent of a disclosed principal (INEC), he (REC) ought not to be joined in the suit.

The matter has been adjourned to June 18, 2014 for hearing.

Reacting to the ruling, Onwuenwunor, said, “Rather than argue the merit of the case he

brought before the industrial court challenging his dismissal for his gross official misconduct, Akonjom was more interested in dragging the REC into the suit for his principled stance.

“He was in charge of the sensitive Information and Communications Technology unit before he was sacked for undermining the integrity of INEC.”

 Don't Forget to like our page on facebook and follow us on twitter. Please Leave a comment below.