Why Court Ordered INEC to Investigate Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Over Alleged Forgery in 2023 Election | SEE DOC

... Fresh Trouble for Minister as Federal High Court Grants Amobi Ogah Leave to Seek Mandamus Against INEC - Legal Experts Say Case Could Open New Chapter in Post-Election Prosecutions

The political temperature in Abia State has risen sharply following a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja, which granted Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah leave to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and prosecute the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, over alleged forgery of polling unit results used during the 2023 general elections.

The case, filed under Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1308/2025, was presided over by Honourable Justice M. Umar, who ruled that Ogah had presented a prima facie case warranting INEC's investigation of the forgery allegations.

In the ruling, the judge stated:

"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 the election results of polling units within the Isiukwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.ÔÇØ

Hon. Ogah, who currently represents Isiukwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, alleged that Onyejeocha forged and presented certain polling unit results from both Isiukwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas, which were tendered as evidence during the Election Petition Tribunal proceedings that nullified his election - a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal.

The new ruling, therefore, reopens the legal and ethical debate surrounding the authenticity of electoral materials used during the post-election litigation process. Legal analysts say the development could set a new precedent for accountability in Nigeria's electoral process, especially for high-ranking political officeholders.

The Federal High Court's order now places INEC under judicial obligation to act - meaning the electoral body must investigate and, if necessary, prosecute the Minister in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022.

This could have far-reaching political consequences for Onyejeocha, who currently serves as a Minister in President Bola Tinubu's administration.

Sources close to the case told All Facts Newspaper that Hon. Ogah's legal team is optimistic that the investigation will expose what they describe as "a calculated attempt to subvert the will of the peopleÔÇØ in the 2023 general elections.

Meanwhile, political observers in Abia State have described the ruling as a "turning pointÔÇØ in the fight against electoral malpractice, commending the judiciary for its courage in upholding the rule of law.

INEC is now expected to begin its investigation immediately. Should the allegations be substantiated, the Minister could face prosecution and possible disqualification from holding public office, depending on the findings.

The case has sparked intense reactions across political circles in Abia, with many viewing it as a test of Nigeria's commitment to free and fair elections.

[caption id="attachment_196178" align="alignnone" width="394"] Why Court Ordered INEC to Investigate Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Over Alleged Forgery in 2023 Election | SEE DOC[/caption]