A high court sitting in Imo State has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to issue certificate of return to Rochas Okorocha as senator-elect for Imo West Senatorial district.

Justice Ngozi Ukoha of the court restrained the electoral body from ‘departing from its decision not to issue a certificate of return in respect of Imo West Senatorial district election’.

The judge issued the order while ruling on an application filed by Osita Izunaso of the All Progressives Grand Alliances (APGA), pending the determination of the motion on notice challenging the victory of Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Commission had refused to issue the certificate to Okorocha who was declared winner of the poll after the Returning Officer for the election reported that he declared the former Imo governor winner under duress.

INEC however says it would meet to consider the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja which asked it to issue a Certificate of Return to Okorocha.

The latest court order, the third on the issue comes after that of the Federal High Court and a May 23 order from the High Court of Imo State directing INEC not to issue a Certificate of Return to any of the candidates in the election.

INEC is expected to announce its decision on the matter later today, Tuesday.

Okorocha had earlier been denied accreditation when he arrived the National Assembly Complex for the ongoing inauguration.