A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from excluding the All Progressives Congress (APC) polling and collating agents from this Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered INEC to temporarily accept and give effect to the list of the polling and collation agents for the poll.

In the case with suit No. FHC/AB/CS/1326/2024, the APC challenged the non-recognition, exclusion of its agents from taking part in the election.

After hearing the application of APC’s counsels, Abdulghani Arobo, Ayodele Toe and Ayodeji Ibekunle, the judge ordered the commission not to exclude the polling and collation agents pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Justice Nwite said, “An order of interim injunction of this honourable court is hereby made restraining the defendant from depriving the polling and collation agents of the plaintiff official tags and full participation in the forthcoming Edo governorship election and instead directing the defendant/respondent to temporarily publish or issue customised tags with the names, details and documents of the plaintiffs polling agents or submitted for the purpose of the forthcoming Edo State governorship election pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

The case was adjourned to September 18, 2024.