By Ayorinde Taiwo (SIWES student, Gate Way Polytechnic Saapade)
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has scheduled March 20 for the verdict in a case seeking to prohibit the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays across Nigeria.
The case, brought forth by Ugochukwu Uchenwa, an elder in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, names the President, Attorney-General of the Federation, INEC, and the Minister of Interior as defendants.
The plaintiff urges the court to declare Saturdays as public holidays, similar to Sundays, emphasizing that Sunday marks the first day of the week and Saturday as the seventh, observed as the Sabbath day by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In response, Maimuna Shiru, representing the President and AGF, filed a 17-paragraph affidavit opposing the suit, requesting its dismissal for lacking merit.
WAEC’s counsel, Friday Chorio, argued that Nigeria is a secular state, citing the constitution’s provision against adopting any religion.
Chorio emphasized existing laws designating Sunday as a public holiday and contested the plaintiff’s plea for Saturday recognition as a holy day.
JAMB’s representative, Safinat Lamidi, filed a preliminary objection, seeking dismissal due to jurisdictional issues.
Notably, the absent presence of the Minister of Interior, INEC, NECO, National Business and Technical Board, Council for Legal Education, and the Ministry of Education was observed, with no legal representation announced on their behalf.
