By Ise-Oluwa Ige

ABUJA—A five-member panel of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, yesterday fixed July 16, 2010 for judgment on the on-going legal battle to  unseat Chief Ikedi Ohakim as the Governor of Imo state.

The apex court fixed the date yesterday after taking arguments from counsel to  parties in the case.

In the expected verdict, the apex court is to pronounce with finality on whether or not the Independent   National  Electoral Commission, INEC, has unlimited powers and discretion to cancel any election including the concluded ones as it did in the April 14, 2007 governorship election in Imo State.

Ohakim and INEC, in two separate appeals before the Supreme Court are asking for an order setting aside the decision of the Court  of Appeal, Abuja.