News
Court dismisses suit seeking to stop conduct of exams, polls on Saturdays
By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed as frivolous, a suit that sought to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from conducting elections on Saturdays.
The suit was brought before the court by a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mr Ugochukwu Uchenwa.
Uchenwa, who is an elder of the church, equally prayed the court to stop the conduct of examinations on Saturdays.
According to the plaintiff, fixing elections and examinations on Saturdays violates his right and that of other members of the church, to freedom of worship.
He prayed the court to declare that the fixing of elections and examinations on Saturdays was unconstitutional.
In the alternative, the plaintiff urged the court to order the defendants to allow him and other church members to vote or write examinations on any other day of the week, including Sundays.
Cited as defendants in the suit were the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, INEC, and the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Others, were; the Joint Admission and Matriculation Examinations (JAMB), the National Examination Council (NECO), the West African Examination Council (WAEC), and the National Business and Technical Examination Board.
In his judgement on Wednesday, Justice James Omotosho held that the suit was frivolous, adding that the plaintiff failed to establish why any of the reliefs he sought from the court should be granted.
According to the court, the plaintiff failed to establish any reasonable cause of action in the matter.
Specifically, the plaintiff, in his originating summons, urged the court to declare that the scheduling of elections in Nigeria on Saturdays, the “sabbath day,” was a violation of his fundamental rights to freedom of worship.
“It is also a violation of conscience, profession, free practice of faith, and the right to participate freely in the government of the applicant and that of all members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Nigeria,” he argued.
He wanted “a declaration that the actions of the 5th to 8th respondents fixing examinations on Saturdays, a “Sabbath day of the Lord,” is a violation of the fundamental rights of freedom of conscience, profession, and free practice of faith of the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Nigeria.”
He maintained that fixing exams on “Sabbath Day of the Lord ” was equally a violation of right to freedom of education of the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Nigeria.
He prayed the court for an order to restrain INEC from further violating the rights of member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church by holding elections on Saturdays.
Or, in the alternative, to “order INEC to mark out a different day for the members of the church to participate in their own election if the INEC cannot schedule and hold the elections on a day other than on Saturdays.”.
Among reliefs the court declined to grant to the plaintiff on Wednesday, included an order “restraining the 5th to 8th respondents from scheduling and conducting compulsory public examinations on Saturdays, without making an option for the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to write their exams on days other than Saturdays.”
President Bola Tinubu has departed Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m. (Nigerian time).
President Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.
The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.
He also presided over the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and one of the top three largest meat processing companies in the World.
The president was accompanied in the trip by senior government officials including the minister of foreign affairs yusuf Tuggar, the national security adviser, Nuhu RIBADU and many others.
In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the House of Representatives will lead a landmark march on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with other strategic activities as part of its unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by the HoR spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, Jr on Saturday.
According to him the march, which starts at 8:00 AM, will bring together over 1,000 participants – including Representatives and members of the public – on a symbolic walk from the National Assembly to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
This demonstration of solidarity will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.
“This march and the associated activities are not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on,” said Hon. Abbas Tajudeen,, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We stand united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Together, through collective action and legislative reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice, and equality prevail.”
Beyond the march, the 10th House of Representatives in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023 – 2027) has outlined *key activities to sustain awareness and action throughout the 16 Days of Activism:*
1. *Sash Demonstration Ceremony* – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Members of the House will don orange sashes, symbolising solidarity with the fight against GBV, during plenary sessions throughout the campaign period.
2. *Convergence of State Assembly Speakers* – Monday, December 9, 2024
A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative strategies for combating GBV nationwide.
3. *National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 -* Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This summit will conclude the 16 Days of Activism with discussions on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives championed by the House.
The House of Representatives invites all Nigerians to *participate in this historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024.* Participants will receive orange T-shirts—the official colour of the United Nations campaign to end violence against women—symbolising hope for a future free of violence.
*Details of the March:*
• *Date:* Monday, November 25, 2024
• *Time:* 8:00 AM
• *Starting Point:* Speaker’s Car Park, National Assembly
• *End Point:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters
Gender-based violence continues to devastate families and communities across Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives however, remains steadfast in driving systemic reforms, fostering collaboration, and championing accountability to address this pervasive issue.
Together, let us take a decisive stand for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights, paving the way for a safer, more equitable Nigeria.
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