Court declines request to halt 2023 population census
A federal high court in Abuja has declined an application seeking to halt the 2023 census. In March, the federal government announced the 2023 population census would commence on May 3 and end May 5. Omotuyi Ademola had approached the court with an ex parte application seeking the postponement of the census for another six months. He prayed the court to declare that the commission is currently underfunded and therefore unprepared to conduct a credible, effective and constitutional census. However, Inyang Ekwo, presiding judge, refused to grant the motion ex parte. Instead, the judge asked the applicant to put the defendant, National Population Commission (NPC), on notice. Ekwo said the NPC should appear in court to show cause why the applicant’s motion should not be granted. He adjourned the matter until May 5. In a related motion, the court granted an application by Victor Opatola, counsel to Ademola, seeking leave to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the NPC to furnish him