Festus Okoye, the former Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has retired from his position as a National Commissioner, four weeks after his five-year tenure officially ended. Okoye, who was sworn in by former President Muhammadu Buhari on July 25, 2018, represented the South-East geopolitical zone.

While Okoye’s tenure concluded on July 24, 2023, questions have emerged about the possibility of his reappointment for a second term. Although he had only served a single term, President Bola Tinubu, responsible for reappointments subject to Senate confirmation, chose not to reappoint him.

The process of appointing the INEC chairman and commissioners involves presidential nomination, ratification by the Council of State, and confirmation by the Senate. As per section 154 of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate is mandated to screen nominees for INEC National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners. This constitutional provision aims to ensure a transparent and accountable selection process for these critical roles.

Festus Okoye, a legal professional, earned a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from the University of Jos in 1984. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1985 and pursued a Graduate Program in International Human Rights Law at the University of Minnesota as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow between 1993 and 1994. Okoye’s diverse legal background and experience contributed to his role as a National Commissioner.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, confirmed Okoye’s retirement. Oyekanmi stated that Okoye left the Independent National Electoral Commission on July 24, 2023, at the conclusion of his five-year tenure. Oyekanmi clarified that while National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners hold a five-year tenure, they are eligible for a second term of five years, which is not automatic.

Responding to concerns about Okoye’s continued listing on the INEC official website post-retirement, the INEC spokesperson dismissed reliance on the website as evidence. He emphasized that the website’s information might not be up-to-date and urged individuals to verify details at INEC headquarters.

Okoye’s retirement has sparked discussions about the transparency and governance of key appointments within the electoral body, raising questions about the potential impact on INEC’s operations and the country’s electoral landscape.

________________________________________________________________ LAWBREED NEW WIG SPECIAL OFFER — Give a newly called lawyer a lasting professional gift.

Get up to 20% off selected LAWBREED Supreme Court Reports, plus access to My S.C Extra, featuring Supreme Court judgments from 1972 to date. Call/WhatsApp: 08077011741 | 08077011755 | 08077011730 | 08023269613 Email: orders@lawbreed.com | mails@lawbreed.com LAWBREED — Equipping You For Greater Success! ______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________