2023 Census: Court Turns Down  Request To Stop Exercise

An application seeking to stop the 2023 census has been turned down by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Federal Government, in March, announced the 2023 population census would commence on May 3 and end on May 5.

A petitioner, Omotuyi Ademola had approached the court with an ex parte application seeking the postponement of the census for another six months.

According to him, the court should declare that the commission is currently underfunded and therefore unprepared to conduct a credible, effective, and constitutional census.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who was the presiding judge refused to grant the motion ex parte.

Ekwo, instead, 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. The matter was adjourned until May 5.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that a Federal Commissioner with the National Population Commission (NPC) in Bayelsa State, Gloria Izonfuo, abducted some five days ago by gunmen, has regained her freedom.

Reports say Izonfuo, who is also a former Head of Service in Bayelsa State was kidnap at the Ogbakiri junction in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State while returning from a trip in Brass, Bayelsa state last Sunday.