Court Orders Governor Umahi, Deputy To Remain In Office

Governor David Umahi have asked the Federal High Court for an order staying the execution of its judgment directing them to vacate their offices as governor and deputy governor of the state respectively

Court Orders Governor Umahi, Deputy To Remain In Office
Governor Umahi

An Ebonyi State High Court, sitting in Abakaliki, on Thursday, March 10, 2022, ordered Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, Eric Kelechi Igwe to remain in office.

Umahi and his Deputy had approached the court to obtain an order to remain in office until the Appeal Court delivers its judgment concerning his defection from the PDP to the APC.

The trial Judge, Justice Henry Njoku affirmed that “David Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Barr Eric Kelechi Igwe have secured an Order from the High Court of Ebonyi State asking them not to vacate their offices, that the judgment of the same court on 28th February 2022, on their defection to APC remains valid as a judgment in rem, which is binding on all parties, persons and authorities.”

The Judge relied on the Supreme Court judgment in the case of IGWEMMA & Anor Vs OBIDIGWE & ORS to say that the judgment was binding on the parties in the litigation and others, having anything to do with the status of the office of the Governor and the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.

The order of court reads in part: “it is hereby ordered as follows: An interim order of this honorable court for seven (7days) subject to renewal is hereby granted given its judgment in suit No. HAB/13/2022, being a judgment in rem and having precedence over any subsequent contrary judgment.

The applicants, Engr. David Nweze Umahi and Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe shall accordingly remain and not be removed from office as Governor and Deputy of Ebonyi State respectively.”