Why Governor Umahi, Deputy Will Lose at Appeal Court, Presidential Aide Reveals

Why Governor Umahi, Deputy Will Lose at Appeal Court, Presidential Aide Reveals

  • Itse Sagay, the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (​PACAC), has revealed why Governor Umahi's sack may be sustained
  • The presidential aide predicted that the judgment by the Federal High Court may be upheld by the Court of Appeal.
  • The Ebonyi state governor and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe were sacked by Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja

Presidential aide Itse Sagay has predicted that the judgement that sacked Engr. David Umahi as the governor of Ebonyi state may be sustained by the Court of Appeal.

The chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) made the disclosure in an interview with Daily Independent.

Ebonyi state governor
Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) has said Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi, and his deputy may lose their case at the Court of Appeal. Photo credit: Governor David Nweze Umahi
Source: Facebook

Recall that the Ebonyi governor and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe were sacked by Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja on the grounds of their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Sagay explained that the two top politicians may lose their case because the judgment was in line with the Supreme Court ruling that removed Celestine Omehia and installed Chibuike Amaechi as the governor of Rivers state.

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Speaking further on why Umahi may have a problem in the Court of Appeal, the PACAC chairman said the counsel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will argue that this decision that is being appealed against was based on a Supreme Court decision, adding that neither the High Court nor the Court of Appeal can change it.

Defection: Umahi gets favourable court order, PDP's "nominated governor" reacts

In a previous report by Legit.ng, Umahi and his deputy have obtained an interim order from a state high court that would last for seven days.

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INEC finally reacts Umahi’s replacement by PDP, awaits copy of judgment

The order states that the duo (applicants) shall remain and not be removed from office as governor and deputy governor of the state, respectively.

The order was issued by Justice Henry Njoku, who had on Monday, February 28, 2022, ruled in favour of Umahi in a suit filled by the governorship candidate, Senator Sonny Ogbuorji of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections.

INEC confirms Umahi’s replacement by PDP, awaits copy of judgment

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi state said the verdict that confirms the illegitimacy of Umahi has not been communicated to the office of the electoral body.

The INEC commissioner in the state, Kelechi Igwe on Thursday, March 10 in an interview on television disclosed the recent development.

Igwe who is yet to receive a formal notice from the court confirmed that the electoral body has received a communique from PDP seeking a replacement of the embattled governor and his deputy

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Oluwatobi Bolashodun avatar

Oluwatobi Bolashodun Oluwatobi Bolashodun is a journalist with six years of working experience in the media industry. She graduated from Babcock University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. Oluwatobi is a former Legit.ng Current Affairs Editor, mostly writing on political, educational, and business topics.