APPEAL COURT IN ENUGU DISMISSES SUIT SEEKING UMAHI’S REMOVAL AS EBONYI GOVERNOR BY SEN. SONNY OGBUORJI
Gov. Umahi And Barr. Igwe
Otu Obiahu AJM NEWS
An Appeal Court in Enugu on Friday dismissed a suit filled by the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2019 general elections, Senator Sonny Ogbuorji and his running mate, Justin Mbam, which sought for the removal of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, from office.
The suit sought Umahi’s removal from office because he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Recently, an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo had sacked Umahi, Igwe and 17 lawmakers in the state for dumping the PDP to the APC.
But, on February 28, 2022, a High Court sitting in Abakaliki struck out the same suit
Justice A.O Belgore dismissed the suit for being inconsistent with the constitution and extant laws of the country.
SOME UNIDENTIFIED MEN GRAB 18-YEAR-OLD LADY IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE, RAPED HER AND STRANGLED HER TO DEATH IN EBONYI STATE
Late Ezeani Adanna
{…They Grabbed Her, Raped Her, Strangled Her To Death And Dumped Her In A Mechanic Workshop }
AJM NEWS
Some unidentified men on Tuesday night, March 22 grabbed an 18-year-old lady, Ezeani Adanna Goodness while making a phone call in front of her house in Isu Okoma, Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State.
The deceased’s sister said: “We came back from Nkwoegu Isu market around 10:00pm, so my sister went to the front of our house to make phone call.
“I went inside the house with my mom, some minutes later, a strange number called my mom on phone that she should rush outside to look for my sister, that he was speaking with my sister on the phone when she started shouting and her phone went off.
“The guy said my sister used to call him with the same number and when he asked her, she told her that the number belongs to our mother so he saved it.
“We rushed outside immediately and started calling her line but it was switched off.
“Around 10:47pm I called a man from Ebubegu security but he told me that he can never come out because he is not on duty.
“So we saw a force man, named FearGod, and told him everything that happened, he called that same man from Ebubegu that I called previously, this time he told him that he is coming but never showed up.
“The same FearGod went to our neighboring village and mobilized for a search party.
“The same FearGod went to our neighboring village and mobilized for a search party.
“Around 12:00am my sister phone started ringing but no one picked. The next morning, being Wednesday, March 23, around 6:30am we saw her lifeless body in a mechanic workshop behind our house.
“She was raped and strangled to death and her phone was placed on her chest.”
FINALLY, EBELE OBIANO OPENS UP: I WENT TO GREET BIANCA BUT SHE REACTED BY SLAPPING ME
Ebele Obiano And Bianca Ojukwu
•Ebele Obiano Tells Her Own Side Of The Story Following Her Fight With Bianca Ojukwu Last Thursday
AJM NEWS
The wife of the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Ebelechukwu Obiano has spoken out following her fight with the Beauty Queen, Bianca Ojukwu at the inauguration of Charles Soludo as the governor of Anambra State.
Speaking about the events of March 17, Ebele said she had left her seat to greet Bianca but the latter reacted to her greeting by slapping her.
According to a statement released by Ebele Obiano’s spokesperson, Chidiebele Obika, the wife of the former Governor of Anambra State said all she did was approach the former beauty queen for their usual friendly banters only to be slapped and pushed by her.
She wondered what brought about “so much anger and hate” that would cause a former diplomat to be unable to “manage herself in public”.
Mrs. Obiano stated that she didn’t bother returning the slap, instead she walked away in utter bewilderment.
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POLICE ARREST SIX SUSPECTS WHO PARADED A WOMAN NAKED FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING HER HUSBAND IN ANAMBRA
Police and the suspects
{….It was Anthony, the Native Doctor who allegedly told the family of the deceased that the cause of his death was as a result of the wife’s infidelity }
AJM NEWS
The Anambra police command says its operatives have arrested six suspects for parading a widow naked.
The incident was said to have taken place in Aguleri community in Anambra east LGA. According to a statement issued by the state command on Wednesday, Echeng Echeng, Anambra commissioner of police, said the suspects had accused the victim of killing her husband.
Echeng, who condemned the incident, said the police will ensure that all those found to be involved in parading the widow naked would be brought to justice.
“The command’s operatives have arrested a total of six additional suspects, including a native doctor, who where identified during the study of the video by police operatives,” he said.
“The suspects are: Anthony Obanye, ‘M’, 44 years; Udalor Egwuatu Nnalue, ‘M’, 46 years; Godwin Ezechukwu, ‘M’, 42 years; Nonso Ezechukwu, ‘M’, 20 years; Philomena Onyekwe, ‘F’, 27 years; and Chineyere Mmachi, ‘F’, 32 years.
Investigations revealed that the deceased, Mr Udorji Egwatu, had been sick for some time when his bother, Mr Udalor took him to Anthony, a native doctor. Anthony confessed to have taken the deceased on some spiritual cleansing and administered him some herbs before he died. It was Anthony who allegedly told the family of the deceased that the cause of his death was as a result of the wife’s infidelity.
“We also to want use opportunity to advise the members of the public to stop sharing the video. This will help to protect the dignity of the woman. I wish to assure you that no stone shall be left unturned in the going investigation. Justice shall be served.”
Credit: TheCable
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NO COURT CAN STOP US FROM HOLDING PLENARY, EBONYI ASSEMBLY INSISTS
Ebonyi Assembly
AJM NEWS
Despite the court order which sacked the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, his Deputy, Barr. Kelechi Igwe, and 17 House Of Assembly Members, the lawmakers on Tuesday, maintained that the judiciary cum court order cannot stop them from holding their normal plenary.
Mr Arinze Chukwu (APC- Ishielu South) the House Committee Chairman on Information made the declaration while speaking with newsmen after plenary in Abakaliki.
Chukwu said the House was aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which on March 8, sacked 17 of its members from defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared their seats vacant.
He explained that the Assembly had appealed the judgement and will continue to serve the people of the state pending the outcome of the appeal.
“We have appealed the judgment and until it is determined, we are not barred from holding plenary.
“No court, therefore, stops us from holding plenary and we will continue to serve our people,” he said.
STOP ATTACHING ‘HIS EXCELLENCY’ TO YOUR NAME, AND STOP PARADING YOURSELF AS EBONYI GOVERNOR, APC SPOKESPERSON, SIMBAD VICTOR OGBUATU WARNS HON. IGARIWEY
Simbad Ogbuatu
{….Henceforth, he should desist from arrogating himself, the name His Excellency and granting of press releases as the Governor of Ebonyi State~ SIMBAD }
AJM NEWS
The Ebonyi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, weekend called on the member representing Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo, to desist from parading himself as the Governor of the State.
The Party, in a statement released by its Publicity Secretary in Abakaliki, Ogbuatu Victor Simbad, which described the development as broad daylight insanity, called on the House of Representative member to tread with caution and stop using the prefix, “His Excellency”, before his name.
According to him, “The good people of Ebonyi State are fully determined to defend the mandate, which they gave to His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi within the long breath of the law if he continues to parade himself in this unlawful manner.”
The statement read in part: “The attention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ebonyi State has been drawn to a broad daylight insanity and arrogation of the title “His Excellency” by Idu Igariwey to his name, who claims to be Governor.
“Ordinarily, we would have elected to remain calm but we see the need to make some clarifications as thus: “That Idu Igariwey is not the Governor of Ebonyi State and can never be as no one has ever become Governor of a State through appointment, since the return of democracy in Nigeria and as such should desist forthwith, from arrogating himself the title, Governor of Ebonyi State.
“That if Idu Igariwey has the interest to contest which is not possible, hence it is not the turn of Ebonyi South to produce the next Governor of Ebonyi State, he should, first of all, resign his elective position as Member representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency at the green chamber.
“That he (Idu) should know that the office of the Governor is not for loafers and dementias but for men of great character, honour and willpower to take their immediate society to the next level.
“That we are very much aware of the frustration that he (Idu) lost the grip of his constituents as a result of his brutish lifestyle and as such his desire to remain in power after 2023 election became truncated.
“We are using this opportunity to remind Mr. Idu Igariwey and those misleading him that Ebonyi State still has an active Governor, His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi Fnse, fnate, whose tenure will end come 2023.
“Henceforth, he should desist from arrogating himself, the name His Excellency and granting of press releases as the Governor of Ebonyi State.
“That we only have one Governor and he is His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi FNSE FNATE who is the progressive leader of APC Ebonyi State, Governor of Ebonyi State, Chairman South East Governor’s forum and Co-Chairman South-South Governor’s forum.”
COURT GIVES INTERIM ORDER FOR GOV. UMAHI, DEPUTY TO REMAIN IN OFFICE FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS
Umahi and deputy, Kelechi Igwe
AJM NEWS
An Abakaliki High Court on Thursday gave an interim order allowing the embattled governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi and his deputy, Barr. Kelechi Igwe, to remain in office for a period of seven days.
The order, which was issued by Justice Henry Njoku, who had on February 28, 2022, ruled in favour of Umahi in a suit filled by the governorship candidate, Sen. Sonny Ogbuorji of All Progressives Congress in 2019 elections, states that the duo (applicants) shall remain and not be removed from office as governor and deputy governor of the state, respectively.
Part of the motion read: “Motion Ex-parte dated and filled on 9th March 2022 and brought pursuant to order 39 rule 3(3) of the high court rule of Ebonyi state, 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honourable court coming before His Leadership, Justice Henry Njoku on 10th March 2022 praying the court as follow.”
“An Interim order of the court for seven days (subject to renewal) that in view of its judgement in suit No.HAB/13/2022 delivered on 28th February, 2022 being a judgement in rem and having procedure over any subsequent contrary judgement.
“The applicants Engr. David Umahi and Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe shall remain and not removed from office as governor and deputy governor of the state, respectively”.
Similarly, Umahi and Igwe have also asked a Federal High Court for an order to stay the execution of its judgment, directing them to vacate their offices over defection.
In a motion on notice filed by their counsel, Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume (SAN), the applicants further prayed the court for an order staying the execution of the orders made in the judgment delivered on March 8, 2022, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately receive from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), the names of its candidates to replace them. The PDP also wants the court to stay the execution of its order directing INEC to hold a governorship election in accordance with section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution. In addition, the motion on notice dated March 9, 2022 is equally seeking an order staying the execution of the order of court directing INEC to immediately declare the persons nominated by the PDP as Governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi state respectively.
The motion which was brought pursuant to order 26 rules 1 and 2(1) and order 32 rules 1 and 4(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, is predicated on eight grounds. Governor Umahi, his deputy and the 16 members of the state legislature, who were on Tuesday removed from their offices by the court for defecting to the APC, are further contending that they have since appealed the orders of the court.
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INEC SHOULD DECLARE THE NAMES SUBMITTED BY THE PDP AS GOVERNOR AND DEPUTY GOVERNOR, AND ISSUE CERTIFICATE OF RETURN, AS DIRECTED BY THE COURT- HON. IDU IGARIWEY
Idu, briefing the press
Below Is The Full Text Of Hon. Iduma Igariwey’s Speech
10/03/2022
AJM NEWS
Two days ago, specifically on the 8th day of March 2022, His Lordship Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, delivered two judgements concerning Ebonyi State. One is suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/920/2021: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) v. The Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) and 3 others. The other is suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/1041/2021: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) v. INEC and 20 others.
In the first suit, whose crux is the defection of Governor Umahi and his Deputy from the PDP to the APC, the Court ordered Umahi and his deputy to vacate their seats, and restrained both of them from further parading themselves as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, respectively.
In the other suit, the Court sacked and declared the seats of 15 of the 24 member Ebonyi State House of Assembly vacant, on the same grounds the Governor was removed.
At this point, let me thank our party, the PeoplesDemocratic Party for the expeditious manner they have taken steps to give effect to the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo.
This important first step was taken by the party when they submitted the names of Hon. Iduma Igariwey and Fred Udogu to INEC, as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively, to replace Governor Umahi and his deputy, in compliance with the order of Court.
Apart from the order directing Governor Umahi and his deputy to vacate their offices, the court, inter alia, also directed INEC to immediately receive from the PDP the names of its candidates to replace Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, and to declare those names submitted by the PDP, as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
While we acknowledge that INEC is in receipt of the communication from the National Chairman of the PDP, we call on INEC as a critical pillar of our constitutional democracy, to comply expeditiously with all the consequential orders of the court, particularly, by declaring the names submitted by the PDP as Governor and Deputy Governor. This, the INEC is expected to do, by issuing Certificates of Return.
From the clear and unambiguous order made by Justice Inyang Ekwo, it is an incontrovertible fact that Governor Umahi ceased to be Governor of Ebonyi State on the 8th day of March 2022. Two days after this judgment, Mr Umahi and his deputy still parade themselves as if they still occupy those offices.
This is, to say the very least, contemptuous of the clear orders of a court of competent jurisdiction. We recognise the fact that former Governor David Umahi has a right of appeal.
However, until the entire appeal process is exhausted, and in the absence of any order staying the operation of Justice Ekwo’s Judgment, Mr Umahi remains sacked, a former Governor, who should desist from any conduct that threatens the peace of Ebonyi State, or diminishes over constitutional democracy.
In the eye of the law, therefore, I, Rt Hon. Iduma Enwo Igariwey and Chief Fred Udogu, are the recognised Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, respectively, effective the 8th day of March 2022.
At this point, let me take liberty and address some of the very disturbing comments credited to Mr Umahi in his official reaction to Justice Ekwo’s twin Judgements.
Umahi’s reaction, by way of a speech titled “I am still the Governor of Ebonyi State” was, true to Umahi’s imperial character, a cocktail of attacks, insults, intemperate and highly incendiary expletives, against a judge of competent jurisdiction and the Judiciary as an institution. Umahi had described Justice Inyang Ekwo’s judgment as “purchased”, vowed not to obey the judgment, called on his supporters to disregard the judgment, to “laugh over the judgment”, a “useless judgment” by a “hatchet man”.
Although many well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians have called out Umahi to condemn his wild and incomprehensible incivility, yet, to us Ebonyians, we understand too well that imperial Umahi was only being himself. Have Nigerians suddenly forgotten Umahi’s many battles with the press in Ebonyi State? Just about a year ago, Umahi “banished for life from Ebonyi Government House”, a number of journalists – Peter Okutu, Chijoke Agwu and others – for writing stories he did not like. In 2021, Umahi sent thugs to attack a sitting court in Abakaliki and chase away other judges from their court rooms, for delivering judgment he considered not favourable. It stands to reason that geographical distance is probably what is saving Justice Ekwo from Umahi’s physical assault and harm. This is unacceptable and disgraceful, to say the very least.
Yesterday and today, former Governor Umahi, in continuing contempt of Justice Inyang Ekwo’s judgment which had since removed him from office, is further depleting the scarce resources of Ebonyi people by bussing poverty stricken Ebonyi people from their villages to the state capital, to demonstrate against Justice Ekwo’s judgment. For Ebonyians who know him very well, this is vintage David Umahi. He will deploy all manner of subterfuge and blackmail, to hang unto power, in clear contempt of the order of court that has since removed him from office.
To Ebonyi people, your joy and jubilation across the length and breadth of the state upon news that David Umahi has been sacked came to me as no surprise.
It is, indeed, a new dawn! You have suffocated enough, and your freedom is near. I assure you that the Party will deploy every legal means to actualise your freedom as symbolised by Justice Inyang Ekwo’s judgment. The era of running Ebonyi State as Umahi, sons and brothers Nigeria Ltd, is soon over. The days of indiscriminate arrests, kidnappings, disappearances and murder in secret detention facilities in Ebonyi State Government House, will soon be a thing of the past.
I urge Ebonyi people to remain calm and peaceful, and go about their normal livelihoods, while civil servants are encouraged to remain vigilant. Security Agencies, the Police, DSS and NSCDC are urged to secure the state by protecting lives and property. This also includes government Property and assets.
Finally, on a personal note, I and my Deputy would like to thank our great party, the PDP, and our stakeholders from Ebonyi State, for the honour of submitting our names to INEC. We feel honoured, and assure the party and Ebonyians, that the task of redeeming and rescuing Ebonyi State from former Governor Dave Umahi’s brigandage and misrule, is a mission that must be quickly accomplished.
Thank you and may God continue to bless Ebonyi State.
Signed:
His Excellency, Rt Hon. Iduma Enwo Igariwey Incoming Governor of Ebonyi State
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PDP Submits Names Of Nominees To take Over From Gov. Dave Umahi And His Deputy To INEC
The PDP chairman Iyorchia Ayu disclosed that the party submitted the names of Hon. Iduma Igariwey as governor and Fred Udogwo as a deputy to INEC in line with the judgment of the federal high court delivered earlier today.
Ayu stated this while addressing a world press conference at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja on Tuesday.
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COURT ASKS EBONYI STATE GOVERNOR, DAVE UMAHI AND HIS DEPUTY TO VACATE OFFICE FOR DEFECTING TO APC
Gov. Dave Umahi
AJM NEWS
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his deputy, Eric Igwe, to vacate their seats as the sitting governor and deputy respectively, on grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the election on March 2019 and not its candidate.
Having defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Umahi and his deputy cannot transfer the mandate of the PDP to the APC. Citing section 221 of the constitution, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the PDP immediately send names of replacements to INEC so that fresh elections can be conducted. Justice Ekwo also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cease from recognising Umahi and Igwe as the governor and deputy governor of the Ebonyi State.
Delivering judgement in the case, the presiding judge, Justice ordered the governor and his deputy to vacate office, adding that their defection was illegal, null and unconstitutional. He ordered INEC to receive names of candidates from the PDP to replace Umahi and Igwe.
The governor and his deputy defected from the PDP on whose platform they were elected into office in the 2015 and 2019 general elections to the APC.
Determined to reclaim its mandate, the PDP sued the Umahi, Igwe, the APC and INEC. The court noted that the crux of the matter was the defection of the 3rd and 4th from the PDP to the APC, adding that the averments of the 3rd and 4th Defendants did not address the issue of defection rightly and frontally but rather resorted to general denial to affidavit evidence.
Justice Ekwo said the depositions of the 3rd and 4th Defendants in their counter affidavit were “evasive and insufficient” to competently challenge the Plaintiff’s originating process. It was the opinion of the court that the “Immunity Clause” in section 308 of the Constitution is not absolute. The court ruled that “Section 308 is a veritable constitutional shield” and not for political reasons.
Justice Inyang said Umahi and Igwe did not controvert the deposition that total votes scored in an election belong to a political party. He stated that evidence abound that the 2nd defendant (APC) contested the Ebonyi State Governorship election held on March 2019, with its own candidates. “It can be noted that the Constitution does not deal with the issue of defection lightly,” the court stated. “The 3rd and 4th Defendants cannot transfer the votes and victory of the Plaintiff on March 9, 2019, to the APC. Office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state belongs to the PDP. “The option for Umahi and Igwe is to vacate office and wait for next election to contest election under the platform of its new party,” the court declared.
The court said the act of the APC, Umahi and his deputy is aimed at dismantling the 1999 Constitution. Consequently, the court declared that under the democratic system operated in Nigeria, the plaintiff won the majority of votes during the election and is entitled to enjoy same till end of tenure of office for which the election was made.
AJM NEWS 