The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request seeking an order postponing the 2023 Population and Housing Census slated to hold from 3 to 5 May.
Inyang Ekwo, the Judge, on Thursday refused to grant the application after giving the motion some thought, instead gave the applicant Omotuyi Lawyer, Victor Opatola, an order to give the defendant, the National Population Commission (NPC) a notice.
According to him, the notice will enable the Commission to appear in Court and give a justification for why the applicant’s motion should not be granted.
In his Ex parte application, Mr. Omotuyi Ademola claimed that the NPC currently lacked necessary preparation and publicity for the conduct of a legitimate, efficient, and constitutional census in the nation.
He, therefore requested a statement that the Commission was currently underfunded and therefore ill-equipped to carry out a reliable, efficient, legal Census, and asked the Court to determine, whether by a true interpretation and construction of the 1999 Constitution and Section 6 of the National Population Commission Act, the aim, intent, importance and purpose of the 2023 Census will not be defeated for lack of adequate preparation, lack of adequate awareness and publicity and paucity of funds.
He further prayed the Court for an order postponing the forthcoming Census for six months to ensure adequate preparation, publicity and adequate funding for the Commission.
