THE Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Friday, affirmed the election of Okezie Ikpeazu as the governor of Abia State, on the ground that he was properly nominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The apex court, in the judgment delivered yesterday, dismissed the three separate suits filed against the governor by Samson Ogah and Friday Nwosu, for lacking in merit.
In the lead judgement written by Justice Musa Datijo Mohamed and read by Justice Ejembi Eko, the Supreme Court held that the appellants failed to prove his allegation that the tax clearance of the governor was forged.
According to the judgement, tax of civil servants are normally deducted from source and being a civil servant at the time, Ikpeazu’s tax was deducted from source, adding that if there are any irregularities, it is not the governor that should be held responsible.
The court awarded a cost of N250,000 in favor of the governor and the PDP.
The legal battle to unseat Governor Ikpeazu started after the judgment of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which, last year upturned the judgment by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which sacked Governor Ikpeazu from office.
The appellate court, in the unanimous judgment vacated the June 27, 2016 judgment of Justice Abang and held that he erred in law and that the judgement occasioned a miscarriage of justice against Ikpeazu.
Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, who delivered the lead judgement of the Court of Appeal, held that Justice Abang “committed a grave violence against one of the pillars of Justice relating to fair hearing,” adding that Abang placed the law on its head when it directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue fresh Certificate of Return to Ogah.
While upholding Ikpeazu’s appeal, the court awarded N100, 000 cost against Ogah and resolved all the five issues raised in the appeal in favour of Ikpeazu.
In his reaction, elated Governor Ikpeazu, during a church thanksgiving at the Government House Church Chapel, Umuahia, thanked God for his victory while dedicating the victory to the people of Abia State, who has patiently waited with him in solidarity while the litigations lasted for almost two years.
Governor Ikpeazu who spoke to journalists at the government House Umuahia after a church service at the government House Chapel where he thanked God first for his victory.
He also thanked the various churches and individuals who prayed along with him till victory was achieved, then called on those that engaged him in a legal battle to sheath their swords and join him to plan for the development of the state.
He said that he bears no grudges against any body even as he said that those who were in court with him for the position of the Abia state Governor to join him in the development of the state
He also urged his supporter to see the victory as a victory for the people and not to antagonize any body.
Ikpeazu who said that the state has no time to waste after the distraction of the long litigation observed that those governors whose matters in the court ended earlier had since moved ahead and called for support of every body to move the state forward.
Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, described THE judgment as victory for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and shame to Justice Okon Abang.
In a press statement issued at Ado-Ekiti yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Fayose told Ikpeazu that the victory was a call to more dedicated service to the people of Abia State.
“Your Excellency, you must now, more than ever before, continue to make a difference in the lives of your people. You must continue to put a wide gap between your good self and the political charlatans, who have now got to their tether’s end,” he said.