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Tag: Ebonyi State

  • Gov. Umahi suspends permanent secretary over extortion

    Gov. Umahi suspends permanent secretary over extortion

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has suspended the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mr Martin Uguru, indefinitely for extortion of civil servants.

    The suspension which took effect from April 1, 2022, is contained in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Friday by the Principal Secretary to the governor, Chief Emmanuel Obasi.

    Obasi stated that Gov. Umahi condemned the collection of kickback from recently promoted civil servants in which the permanent secretary was found complicit.

    “The money demanded by civil servants in charge of the process, was for the typing and collection of the document containing details of the promotion, they claimed.

    “The governor directed the Secretary to the State Government to issue the letter of indefinite suspension to the permanent secretary for his complicity in the scam.

    “All heads of administration and persons involved in this exploitation are to forfeit one month’s salary each.

    “The concerned heads of administration are hereby directed to fully refund all monies collected from the newly-promoted civil servants.

    “The refund should be paid directly to their bank accounts and such officials should submit the bank tellers to the Principal Secretary to the governor within 48 hours.

    “Failure to comply with this directive attracts dismissal from the state civil service,’’ the statement read.

    The statement observed that if there were requirements to process relevant promotion documents as claimed, such requirements should be brought to the notice of the state governor by the Office of the Head of service.

    “That is the proper thing to do rather than resorting to exploitation of the newly-promoted civil servants,’’ the statement read.

    Gov. Umahi also directed the posting of the Permanent Secretary in charge of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to the Office of Head of Service in acting capacity.

    “The concerned official will still be in charge of UBEB.

    “The permanent secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment is posted to the Ministry of Business Development with immediate effect,’’ Obasi stated.

  • Businessman shot dead 10 days to his wedding ceremony in Ebonyi

    Businessman shot dead 10 days to his wedding ceremony in Ebonyi

    Assailants shot a businessman, Mr Nnaemeka Chukwu, to death in Abakaliki on Monday, 10 days to his wedding.

    Police spokesperson in Ebonyi, DSP Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

    “We have heard about it, but the command is yet to get the full details of the killing to enable it to make any arrest,’’ she said.

    Favour Chioma, the spouse-to-be, said the incident happened on Monday night after the close of business at Chukwu’s shop at the International Market, Abakaliki, where he dealt in groceries.

    “Some boys accosted us; first, they shot into the air, then they ordered my husband to lie down and they shot him; collected my phone and left.

    A relative, who requested anonymity, said that the traditional wedding was to take place on April 21 at Amaiyima Ekpelu, in Ikwo Local Government Area.

    “The church wedding was slated for April 23 also at Abakaliki,’’ he said.

  • Umahi defection: INEC suspends action over conflicting court judgements

    Umahi defection: INEC suspends action over conflicting court judgements

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended action on court orders and motions regarding the defection of Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and his Deputy, Chief Kelechi Igwe.

    The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education in Abuja on Thursday.

    He said that the commission met INEC on Thursday and deliberated on a wide range of issues.

    The issues according to him, includes preparations for the Osun State Governorship election and cases on the defection of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Ebonyi State and 16 members of the State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Okoye said that the commission decided to stay action at the meeting of the commission held on Thursday in Abuja, in the light of the conflicting judgements and orders served on it from Courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

    “It will be recalled that the Commission met on Thursday, March 17 on the matter, decided to defer its deliberation on the Ebonyi cases.

    “The commission stepped down the listed Memorandum to enable its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes served on it in the light of the previously served ones and advise the Commission comprehensively.

    “Since then, the Commission has been served yet more Court Processes on the same matter, bringing the total to 12.

    “The Commission also considers it prudent to stay action on the conflicting judgements and orders being aware of the pendency of Appeals and Motions for Stay of Execution of some of the judgements before various divisions of the Court of Appeal.

    On Osun governorship election, Okoye said that the commission would not be publishing the nominations of the Action Alliance (AA); African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    He said that the Commission would on Friday, publish in its State and Local Government Offices in Osun State the list and personal particulars of the candidates that political parties propose to sponsor at the election.

    Okoye said those who would make this list must be candidates who emerged from valid primaries in line with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “The Commission will publish the list and personal particulars of the candidates of 15 out of the 18 political parties that conducted primaries.

    “The nominations of AA; ADC and APGA will not be published for their failure to comply with the Commission’s Guidelines on Political Party Operations (2018) or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    “The AA did not submit a nomination jointly signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of the party while the ADC and APGA nominated candidates that do not meet the age requirements for the office of Deputy Governor as enshrined in the Constitution.

    “The Commission has already communicated this position officially to the affected Political Parties.”

  • Sack: Umahi boasts: PDP can take power from me on Facebook

    Sack: Umahi boasts: PDP can take power from me on Facebook

    Embattled Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has lashed out at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), saying those who want to take power from him can do so on Facebook.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Umahi made this known on Monday when he addressed members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi during the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Abakaliki.

    He assured his supporters that there is nothing to worry about over the Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which struck out the stay of execution motion against his removal from office.

    The governor while reacting to the development urged his supporters to remain calm.

    “All these issues are distractions, the constitution is clear and I don’t want to waste much time on them.

    “I saw reports on the social media over the stay of execution but everything about the matter has been sent to the appeal courts at Enugu and Abuja.

    “The lower court no longer has jurisdiction over the matter so there is nothing to worry about,” he said.

    He said that he was still in control of the state’s affairs as all ongoing projects executed by his administration would not be stopped.

    “I will conclude my tenure on May 29, 2023 and those who want to take power by force can do so on Facebook.

    “They can use whatever form to come in but we would match it 10 times.

    “They are advised not to venture into Ebonyi because there is no vacancy,” he said.

    Umahi urged the committee inaugurated to ensure equity in the distribution of elective positions in the state APC chapter to ensure that the people choose their leaders without bias.

    “The zoning committee should consult with relevant stakeholders such as the elders committee, founding fathers forum, traditional rulers among others, to ensure equity and choosing of the right leaders.

    “Most people feel that they would just be nominated and assisted to win elections only for them to be unproductive.

    “I will only support a candidate who has the capacity to win election as the era of manipulations are over,” he said.

    Stakeholders of the party used the occasion to assure the governor of their support and cooperation to ensure a successful conclusion of his administration.

  • Umahi can no longer exercise functions of Governor – PDP

    Umahi can no longer exercise functions of Governor – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has averred that Engr. David Nweze Umahi can no longer exercise the functions of the Governor of Ebonyi State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the party also averred that his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe can no longer exercise the functions of the office of Deputy Governor of the State as well.

    National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba made these positions known on Monday pursuant to the order of the Federal High Court, which removed them from office and the subsequent order of the Federal High Court today, which refused their application for stay of execution.

    As a result, the PDP charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately and without any further delay, issue certificates of return to Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

    In a statement released by Ologunagba, the PDP also demanded that the Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, upon the issuance of Certificates of Return by INEC proceed to swear in Igariwe and Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

    “This is in furtherance of the Order of the Federal High Court issued in Abuja today, Monday, March 21, 2022 refusing to grant Stay of Execution to the former Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe over their removal from office by the Court.

    “INEC, pursuant to the provision of Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which provides that “the decisions of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court and of all other courts established by this Constitution shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by other courts of law with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court and those other courts, respectively” is bound to issue Certificates of Return immediately to Hon. Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

    “In this regard, the PDP also demands that the Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, upon the issuance of Certificates of Return by INEC proceed to swear in Hon. Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

    “This is absolutely necessary to prevent the existence of vacuum in the government and governance of Ebonyi State as Messers Umahi and Igwe can no longer exercise the functions of the office of Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State pursuant to the Order of the Federal High Court which removed them from office on March 8, 2022 and the subsequent Order of the Federal High Court today, which refused their application for Stay of Execution.

    “The PDP commends the judiciary for its courage in defending the Constitution as well as the will of the people of Ebonyi State as expressed in their votes for the PDP in the 2019 governorship election.

    “Our Party also congratulates the people of Ebonyi State for the restoration of their mandate and urged them to remain united under the PDP as we forge ahead in our mission to Rescue and Rebuild our country from the rudderless APC administration,” the statement reads.

  • BREAKING: Court strikes out Umahi’s motion to stop execution of judgment

    BREAKING: Court strikes out Umahi’s motion to stop execution of judgment

    A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Monday, struck out the motion filed by sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, seeking for a stay of execution of the March 8 judgment.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the motion after Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume, SAN, counsel for Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, prayed the court for the withdrawal of the motion, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, did not oppose the application.

    The motion for stay of execution was marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/920/21, between PDP Vs. INEC and three others.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on March 8, in a judgment, ordered Umahi; his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, and 16 lawmakers to vacate their office and seats, following their defection from the PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The judge also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to immediately receive from the PDP, the names of its candidates to replace them, among others.

    However, on March 10, Governor Umahi and others had sought an order of the FHC Abuja, staying the execution of its judgment directing them to vacate their offices over their defection to another political party.

    In a motion on notice filed by Ume, the applicants also prayed the court to stay the execution of its order directing INEC to receive another names in their place or hold a governorship election in accordance with Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal dated and filed on March 9 by the appellants, among others.

    Ume also sought a withdrawal of the stay of execution motion filed on behalf of the lawmakers marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1041 between PDP Vs. INEC and 20 others.

    At the resumed hearing, Ume informed the court of his intention to withdraw the two motions for stay of execution dated March 9 on the grounds that an appeal had been entered at the Court of Appeal on the matter.

    Counsel for the PDP, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, did not oppose the application. In a short ruling, Justice Ekwo struck out the matter.

    Ume had, on Wednesday, approached the court to withdraw the stay of execution motion filed on Umahi’s behalf due to a mistake in the application.

  • Umahi’s sack order: Ebonyi APC rattled as PDP battles for certificate of return

    Umahi’s sack order: Ebonyi APC rattled as PDP battles for certificate of return

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State seems to be rattled as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) continues to battle to get the certificate of return after a Federal High Court sacked David Umahi as Governor of the State.

    The APC has argued that the PDP cannot get the certificate of return for the governor from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The state Chairman of APC, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, said this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the party’s position on the political impasse in the state.

    Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on March 8 ordered Umahi to vacate office as governor for defecting from PDP to APC.

    The court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, ruled that PDP should submit the names of its governorship and deputy governorship candidates to INEC or that the body should conduct another governorship election in the state.

    In a swift reaction following the ruling, the PDP had submitted nominees to INEC to replace Umahi and his Deputy at the helms of office in Ebonyi.

    But Okoro-Emegha described the PDP’s agitation for the certificate as “funny”, saying the names they submitted never participated in the election.

    “Section 285 (13) of the Constitution and the amended Electoral Laws of 2010 and 2022, including all known cases of the Appeal and Supreme Courts’ decision are apt on this issue.

    “They made it clear that one cannot benefit, sue or be sued for an election he or she did not participate in as candidate.

    “It is childish for the PDP to be requesting for the certificate of return from INEC without regard to the Abakaliki Court order on the issue,” Okoro-Emegha said.

    He urged the public not to be deceived, saying that APC had appealed against Ekwo’s judgment and notice of the appeal and stay of execution served on PDP.

    “Ebonyi government is stable and all projects and programmes are ongoing and will never stop.

    “Ebonyi people are requested to be calm and vigilant and are assured that justice is already at hand,” the party chieftain said.

    Reacting to APC’s position, the PDP state chairman emphasized that the PDP was right to demand the gubernatorial certificate of return from INEC.

    “A court of competent jurisdiction ordered that the certificate of return be given to us and this was not an interlocutory injunction,” he said.

  • Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi, Tinubu meet in Abuja

    Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi, Tinubu meet in Abuja

    Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, from their respective offices, following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

    The court equally ordered 16 members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly that joined the governor and his deputy in the defection to APC on November 17, 2020, to vacate their seats and refund all salaries and monies received from the day they defected to the APC.

  • Ebonyi High Court rules in favour of Gov. Umahi, deputy

    Ebonyi High Court rules in favour of Gov. Umahi, deputy

    Ebonyi state High Court, Abakaliki on Thursday, ordered Governor David Umahi and his deputy, Eric Kelechi Igwe to remain in office.

    Ebonyi Governor Dave 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.

    In its judgment, the trial judge, Justice Henry Njoku ruled that the Governor and his deputy should still retain their seats pending the outcome of the case at the Court of Appeal.

    “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 judgement of the same court on 28th February, 2022, on their defection to APC remains valid as a judgement in rem, which is binding on all parties, persons and authorities.”

    The Judge used as reference point the Supreme Court judgement in the case of IGWEMMA & Anor Vs OBIDIGWE & ORS to say that the judgement 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 honourable court for seven (7days) subject to renewal is hereby granted in view of its judgement in suit No. HAB/13/2022, being a judgement in rem and having precedence over any subsequent contrary judgement.

    “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.”

  • Umahi: You can’t sue a Governor in his personal name – Ozoana

    Umahi: You can’t sue a Governor in his personal name – Ozoana

    Following Tuesday’s judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that sacked Dave Umahi and his deputy, Dr. Eric Kelechi-Igwe as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively, a legal practitioner, Sebastian Ozoana has faulted the suit, saying the governor was sued in his personal name, not in his nominal capacity.

    Justice Ekwo’s judgment opened a new vista in Nigeria’s political landscape in suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 920/21 and FHC/ABJ/CS/ 1041/21, filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seeking the removal of the Governor and his Deputy from office for abandoning the party.

    Ozoana, who is a retired police officer and a notary public, in a telephone interview with TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) on Thursday, said: “under the Constitution, he is enjoying immunity as a Governor, like the Vice President and President; they all enjoy immunity under the law.

    “So, you cannot sue them by their personal name. To start with, that suit was wrong on that premise. You should not have taken a governor to court in his personal name”.

    The legal practitioner noted that the Nigerian Constitution has prescribed how a Governor, Deputy Governor, President or Vice President should be removed from office, stressing that “it is a Constitutional matter”.

    Ozoana argued that the case of Amechi vs INEC is no longer the law, adding: “that of Amechi and INEC decided that the votes belong to the political party but the situation has since changed the law. That is, the vote cast in an election is for the person you have voted for, not for the party”.

    He, however, condemned the action of the Umahi for lambasting the judge personally.

    In his words: “The governor made a mistake of lambasting the judge personally. The fact that a judge gave judgment against a party or person, is not a reason to attack the judge personally. Go on appeal and, if not, take it till the highest court of the land but not to be attacking the judge personally. No!

    “You cannot lambast a judge and call him names; it is never done in any good democracy. The governor was very wrong to have done that and I am equally happy about how the NBA replied to him immediately, to put him in check.

    “It is not when a judgment favours you that you begin to praise the judiciary and the judge. When the judgment is against you, you begin to lambast the judiciary, which is not the proper way to do it”.

    He expressed satisfaction that Umahi has appealed Justice Ekwo’s judgment, saying “which is the proper thing to do. It is not for you to insult the judge, insult the lawyers. If any lawyer has done anything wrong, there are procedures of going against that person”.