Kogi High Court denies issuing order deregistering NDC

The High Court in Kogi State has vehemently denied a social media report claiming it ordered the deregistration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), labeling the publication as false and misleading.

“

The High Court in Kogi has dismissed as false and misleading, a social media report alleging that it ordered the deregistration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a statement released from Lokoja, the state capital, the court's Chief Information Officer, Saqeeb Saeed, clarified that the court has neither processed nor adjudicated any case concerning the registration or deregistration of the NDC or any other political party in Nigeria. The court noted that the misleading publication included photographs of the Chief Judge of Kogi, Josiah Majebi, and former Governor Yahaya Bello, creating a deceptive impression that the purported decision originated from the high court.

While the court typically would not respond to such publications, it deemed it necessary to correct the record, stating that the report had the potential to undermine the integrity and dignity of the judiciary. The court urged the public and content creators to verify information before dissemination and warned that disseminating false information that tarnishes the image of judges or the court would no longer be tolerated. The public was urged to disregard the social media report.

“

it neither handled nor determined any case relating to the registration or deregistration of the party or any other political party in Nigeria.

This clarification follows a recent development where Justice Isah Dashen of the Kogi State High Court reportedly reversed an earlier ruling that had deregistered the NDC. Justice Dashen had ruled that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision could be made, deeming the previous judgment constitutionally defective because it was delivered without hearing all interested parties. The court upheld an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), recognizing it as a necessary party to the suit, and ordered the restoration of the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“

disseminating false information capable of tarnishing the image of judges and the High Court of Justice or other courts under its administrative control would no longer be tolerated.