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By Tracy Moses
A new storm has erupted within President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence prosecution of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, over alleged forgery of election results in the 2023 general elections.
The court, presided over by Justice M.G. Umar, granted leave to INEC to initiate legal action against the minister following an ex-parte motion brought before it by Hon. Amobi Ogah, a member of the House of Representatives representing Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.
Ogah, who contested and won the election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), accused Onyejeocha, his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, of fabricating election result sheets from 62 polling units within the constituency.
Delivering his ruling on September 23, 2025, Justice Umar said the applicant had successfully established a prima facie case warranting the court’s intervention.
“I have carefully examined the affidavit and the documentary evidence presented by the applicant,” the judge stated. “I am satisfied that he has disclosed sufficient grounds for this court to exercise its discretion in his favour. Accordingly, leave is hereby granted to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and prosecute Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha for alleged forgery of election results in polling units within Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency.”
Justice Umar further noted that “no individual, regardless of their position in government, should be above the law when allegations of electoral offences are raised.”
The dispute between both politicians has lingered since the aftermath of the 2023 elections. Onyejeocha had initially petitioned the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal, claiming she was the rightful winner of the poll.
However, Ogah countered her claim, alleging that the minister “doctored” result sheets, which were later tendered as Exhibit 3 before the tribunal in a bid to discredit his victory.
In his supporting affidavit, Ogah alleged that “Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha forged several election results and presented them before the Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, falsely claiming they were genuine documents issued by INEC.”
He added, “This was a deliberate attempt to mislead the judiciary and subvert the will of the electorate in Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency.”
The tribunal eventually dismissed Onyejeocha’s petition and upheld Ogah’s election, prompting the lawmaker to approach the Federal High Court to compel INEC to investigate what he described as “a clear case of criminal falsification.”
With the latest ruling, the court has effectively cleared the way for INEC to commence a formal investigation and possible prosecution of the minister.
Legal analysts say the development could have far-reaching political implications for the Tinubu administration, already grappling with growing public concern over integrity and transparency among some cabinet members.
“The court’s order sends a strong message that electoral offences cannot be swept under the carpet simply because the accused holds a government position,” said a senior lawyer familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
If INEC proceeds with the prosecution, it will mark one of the first instances in recent Nigerian history where a serving minister faces trial for allegedly falsifying election results.
Meanwhile, INEC sources have indicated that the Commission will review the court order and take appropriate action in line with its constitutional mandate.