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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Vice-President Osinbajo arrives Ebonyi on one-day working visit

    Vice-President Osinbajo arrives Ebonyi on one-day working visit

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday arrived in Ebonyi State on a one-day working visit to the state.

    Osinbajo arrived the state at 11:55 am aboard a helicopter with registration number 5N-FGI at the Ebonyi International Airport still under construction at Onueke in Ezza North local government area of the state.

    He was received by Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and other high-level government officials and the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains.

    Osinbajo is expected to address the closing session of the 21st Joint Planning Board (JPB) and National Council on Development Planning (NCDP) holding in Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital.

    The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning in collaboration with the Ebonyi government with the theme, ‘Good Governance and Institutional Capacity: Pathways to Sustainable National Development.

    Osinbajo is also expected to inaugurate some projects executed by the Umahi administration across the state.

  • ‘I will conclude my tenure in 2023’- Umahi reacts to Appeal Court judgment

    ‘I will conclude my tenure in 2023’- Umahi reacts to Appeal Court judgment

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that his administration will conclude its tenure on May 29, 2023, irrespective of its challenges.

    Umahi said this on Friday while reacting to the judgment of the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu which affirmed the judgment of the Ebonyi High court on his defection.

    The Ebonyi High Court had quashed a suit challenging the defection of the governor from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nov. 2020.

    Umahi while presiding over the weekly state Executive Council meeting, congratulated the people of the state over the judgment and thanked various religious bodies for their prayers.

    “The enemies have tried using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts but failed.

    “They are presently writing all forms of frivolous petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “We will however, defeat them any where they go and would finish strongly,” he said.

    He declared that God brought his government to power and will never abandon it.

    “The good thing is that people know that the challenges are mere storm in a tea cup and distractions.

    “We will conduct a special praise and worship service on Sunday to thank God for His mercies on the government and the people.

    “We will sing praises unto God because he has turned big in everything that concerns us,” he said.

    The suit challenging the governor’s defection was filed by the flagbearers of the APC in the 2019 general election, Sen. Sunny
    Ogbuoji and his running mate, Chief Justin Ogodo.

    The plaintiffs had prayed the court to order INEC to swear them-in as the governor and deputy governor of the state having placed second in the gubernatorial election.

  • Gruesome Killing of Abducted NELAN Engineers in Ebonyi – By Carl Umegboro

    Gruesome Killing of Abducted NELAN Engineers in Ebonyi – By Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    Definitely, there’s no means to discuss the gruesome killing of the five NELAN engineers deployed as consultants to the AfDB road project in Ebonyi state without tears. The coldhearted murder of these professionals who were abducted on 3rd November, 2021 namely; Engr. Nelson Onyemeh (lead consultant) from Ihiala in Anambra State; Engr. Ernest Edeani from Nkanu in Enugu State; Ikechukwu Ejiofor from Umunya in Oyi LGA of Anambra State; Engr. Samuel Aneke from Nkanu in Enugu-East LGA of Enugu State and Engr. Stanley Nwazulum from Amawbia in Awka-South LGA of Anambra State is the height of inhumanity to man in recent times. May their souls rest in peace.

    From a report by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Aliyu Garba during his meeting with the bereaved families at Police Headquarters in Abakaliki recently, apart from the agonizing news of recovering the remains of the five NELAN engineers from inside one shallow grave in the bush where they were dumped, one of them was beheaded. Recall that a source had earlier alleged that the consultants were burnt. Possibly, to cover it up alongside the headless body, the felons buried them immediately. Bodies of two policemen that were also killed on their way to the scene and shallowly buried beside the consultants’ grave were also discovered and exhumed. One can only but imagine the pains these victims went through in the hands of their heartless killers.

    While I commend the security operatives for recovering their bodies at last, regrettably, the Police didn’t do well before this development. It took the Police roughly four months to trace the place these citizens were gruesomely murdered and covered up whereas the state governor, David Umahi impliedly knew when, where and how they were killed and buried, as he updated his cabinet some days after their abduction, precisely on 30th November, 2021. According to reports, the Umahi led-government played cat-and-mouse games with the consulting firm prior to the abduction.

    The questions curiously begging for answers are; how did the governor ‘convincedly’ know these facts even ahead of the Police in the field despite the fact the incidents apart from the abduction, didn’t take place in an open space, but covertly in a remote area? Is there more to this? Many questions running through the mind. With conviction, Umahi announced their miseries not long after the abduction. The Police just ascertained the announcement recently, and also discovered that one of them is headless. The ‘beheading’ part jogs my memory of the Bible episode where John the Baptist was killed on King Herod’s command, beheaded and his head placed on a platter for Herodias as a proof. Sensibly, as the Police has established the announcement, the searchlight should spread to all tentacles.

    For now, the Police defence on the delayed intervention is that the criminals slew two policemen on their way to the place. My empathy notwithstanding, this is absurd, embarrassing to the agency, and shameful to the ears. Another squelchy defence by the Police is that the engineers took a wrong route on that fateful day by going through the Ezza route. Unknown to them, from records, the engineers had traversed the ring roads for fourteen months prior to the abduction and had a total of about 112 visits to the area without any squabbles with the community.

    Further enquiry reveals that the consultants were warmly welcomed to the communities. A worksheet also shows that the consultants with no challenge concluded enumeration of trees along the roads on the 28th October, 2021 after two weeks of harmoniously sharing a space with the community. Thus, the Police must do a holistic investigation to present accounts that will not hurt listeners’ eardrums.

    As their remains have been recovered, deposited at the morgue for autopsy accordingly, investigation must gather momentum to unveil the masterminds of the heinous crimes. Logically, if there’s no record that the consultants reported any faceoff against the host communities at any Police station, then the seeming blackmails against the communities cannot fly in the face of logic and reality. The communities cannot suddenly conspire, abduct and kill strangers working in their space without any dispute. Ditto on the so-called Ezza warriors. If it was for ritual, all the heads would be missing. The cruelty observed at the burial scene as discovered by the Police strongly suggests malice and intimidation. The missing Toyota Hilux is also a bold statement of conspiracy.

    From observation, there are records of intra-communities disputes at times but without any pointer to assaults on strangers. So also, there are many non-indigenes moving freely and residing in Ebonyi state, how much more consultants on a short visit working on their roads. Rationally, it wasn’t a case of abduction for ransom but elimination to settle scores. It suggests an attack on the firm. Ideally, investigation should be extended to the corners that allegedly had a history of acrimonious encounters against the firm over their consultancy services. For example, a source had earlier said;

    “Specifically, those close to the murdered civil engineer who spoke to the television’s reporter, insisted that the relationship between Governor Umahi and NELAN had remained very frosty to a point that some of the vehicles assigned to them for the execution of the project were allegedly withdrawn, leaving them with only one Toyota Hilux for their routine operations”. Furthermore, in Daily Sun of 21 December 2021, a colleague in the firm also narrated;

    “We are saying that it was a planned thing; it wasn’t a spontaneous issue because they have been going to that community. One thing we understand is that that community doesn’t hurt foreigners.… There is a foul play, but we can’t place our finger on it …. In fact, the Toyota Hilux with registration number, ERR-001-EB they traveled in also disappeared with them till this moment”. These revelations have enormous weight if justice must prevail.

    What next? The Nigerian Police must go beyond the assassins to fetch the monsters behind the heinous crimes. The post-mortem to also determine their identities including the beheaded victim shouldn’t take another long wait. The blood of these breadwinners in their families is calling for justice, and it is the duty of the Police to play neutral and do a perfect job. To sum up, the hasty conclusions in defence in a sensitive matter as this is not the way to go. Let justice prevail. The tragedies should not be swept under the carpet, and the seeming delay tactic is unacceptable.

    Umegboro, ACIArb is a public affairs analyst and social advocate

  • Alleged N6.7bn loot: Ebonyi Govt denies any involvement

    Alleged N6.7bn loot: Ebonyi Govt denies any involvement

    …begs EFCC to investigate allegation

    …says it’s a satanic blackmail by PDP

    The Ebonyi State Government has denied any involvement in the alleged loot of N6.7billion as reported in most social media networks, claiming it is satanic blackmail by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    This denial was contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Orji Uchenna Orji.

    In the statement, the Ebonyi Government said: “We rebuke the allegations of ‘looting of Ebonyi State Government’s money’ made by People’s Democratic Party, PDP against our transparent administration as a satanic blackmail that has no iota of truth, desperately calculated to attract the attention of the gullible and sully the reputation of the Governor of the State and which we shall not hesitate in invoking legal actions to bring the petitioners to justice.

    ” Ebonyi State Government’s expenditure is in the public domain, and there is no doubt that Governor Umahi’s administration has been adjudged to be one of the most transparent, judicious prudent and corrupt-free administrations in Nigeria.

    “Further in this regard, Ebonyi State Government is requesting the State House of Assembly to waive its constitutional immunity and request Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to within 30 days, investigate all the issues in the allegations contained in the petition by PDP and any other allegation of financial impropriety raised by them and to please cause necessary sanctions against the petitioners for false and fake information if their allegations are not established.

    “We must note that we are aware of the sponsors of this heinous petition, particularly Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and we shall soon expose his complicity in these senseless fabrications. We have not forgotten his usual style of fight against a siting Governor in his State; we have not forgotten his history and cases of massive financial misappropriation and wrecking of national treasury and his land grabbing commitments in parts of the Country including grabbing of thousands of acres of land at the Centenary City, belonging to Federal Government some of which are under serious investigation by EFCC and other Anti- graft agencies. We are fully aware of the unprofessional conduct and ambulance chasing character of his surrogate who authored this petition on behalf of PDP .

    “We know that he has been in the business of unprofessional conduct and dirty dealings and we assure him that we shall deal conclusively with this unfounded allegations to further expose his professional impropriety.

    Read full statement below:

    REJOINDER ON FALSE AND MALICIOUS PETITION TO EFCC BY PDP, EBONYI STATE CHAPTER DATED 22ND MARCH 2022 .

    1. We are seized of the copy of the trending fabrications and fake news being circulated by one Linus Okorie and Charles Otu, published in different social media platforms and credited to and authored by People’s Democratic Party,PDP Ebonyi State Chapter and one Nkemakolam Okoro SC Esq respectively, on the above subject matter and the unfounded, cruel and malicious allegations contained therein.

    2. We state in strong terms that the entirety of the content of the trending petition addressed to EFCC is absolutely and irresponsibly false, malicious and nothing but a serial of the politically calculated attempt by People’s Democratic Party, PDP and desperados to damage the hard -earned reputation of the Governor and the integrity of the State Government and to attack the credibility of the outcome of the dispensations of all institutions involved in ensuring that justice is done in all the legal actions framed up by PDP to distract the ever performing administration of Governor Umahi, especially to cause him distractions in his intention to run for the Presidency come 2023

    3. We further categorically state that the petitioners acted libelously and unruly in their contentions on the status of judgement- effect in the matter of defection between PDP and the Governor of Ebonyi State as it is not in doubt that His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi FNSE FNATE is the subsisting Governor of Ebonyi State both in law and in fact.

    4. We rebuke the allegations of ‘looting of Ebonyi State Government’s money’ made by People’s Democratic Party, PDP against our transparent administration as a satanic blackmail that has no iota of truth, desperately calculated to attract the attention of the gullible and sully the reputation of the Governor of the State and which we shall not hesitate in invoking legal actions to bring the petitioners to justice. Ebonyi State Government’s expenditure is in the public domain, and there is no doubt that Governor Umahi’s administration has been adjudged to be one of the most transparent, judicious prudent and corrupt-free administrations in Nigeria.

    5. Further in this regard, Ebonyi State Government is requesting the State House of Assembly to waive its constitutional immunity and request Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to within 30 days, investigate all the issues in the allegations contained in the petition by PDP and any other allegation of financial impropriety raised by them and to please cause necessary sanctions against the petitioners for false and fake information if their allegations are not established.

    6. We must note that we are aware of the sponsors of this heinous petition, particularly Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and we shall soon expose his complicity in these senseless fabrications. We have not forgotten his usual style of fight against a siting Governor in his State; we have not forgotten his history and cases of massive financial misappropriation and wrecking of national treasury and his land grabbing commitments in parts of the Country including grabbing of thousands of acres of land at the Centenary City, belonging to Federal Government some of which are under serious investigation by EFCC and other Anti- graft agencies. We are fully aware of the unprofessional conduct and ambulance chasing character of his surrogate who authored this petition on behalf of PDP . We know that he has been in the business of unprofessional conduct and dirty dealings and we assure him that we shall deal conclusively with this unfounded allegations to further expose his professional impropriety

    7. Members of the public are please enjoined to discountenance this trending petition as one of the series of lies from the forces who are intimidated by the rising and acceptable performance credentials of Governor Umahi.

  • EXPOSED: How Ebonyi Gov, Umahi allegedly withdrew N6.7bn to pay legal fees

    EXPOSED: How Ebonyi Gov, Umahi allegedly withdrew N6.7bn to pay legal fees

    It has been revealed how Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi currently facing eviction notice from Government House by the court within one week allegedly withdrew N6.7billion from State coffers to pay legal fees.

    This was contained in a petition sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC dated March 22 by solicitors of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP alleging that:

    “It is our client’s Instructions that Pursuant to the Judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered on the 8. day of March 2022, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/920/2021, between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) V Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr David Nweze Umahi and Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, that David Nweze Umahi, was removed as the governor of Ebonyi State.

    “Immediately upon the removal of David Nweze Umahi, as the governor of Ebonyl State, he commenced the massive looting of the properties and finances of Ebonyi State.

    “Its further our client’s instructions that within a space of one week, David Nweze Umahi, the former governor of Ebony State, has withdrawn from the accounts of the Ebony State government, held with Zenith Bank, First Bank, United Bank of Africa, Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, Union Bank, FCMB,and Stanbic IBTC Bank, over 6 Billion Naira, to fund the legal fees for some of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, he has engaged to handle his matter on appeal.

    “Our client has it on good authority that one of the Senior Advocates based in Lagos had asked for a down payment of the sum of six million as deposit, before accepting Mr Umahi’s appeal briefs. The naira withdrawals are immediately converted to dollars, to achieve this purpose.

    ” It is, therefore, our client’s instructions that we notify your esteemed office, of this massive looting of the resources of Ebonyi State by the former governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi. Our client, appeals to your esteemed office, to as a matter of urgency, use your powers to stop the massive looting of the finances of Ebonyi State, by David Nweze Umahi, given the Judgment of the Federal High Court, removing him from office as the governor of Ebonyi State.

    When TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) contacted the spokesperson of the Anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren he simply said: “Petitions don’t come through me and we receive hundreds of petitions daily.

    See full petition

    The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Head office, Abuja.
    Dear sir,
    •Soliciturs •Adrocaici ∎Consultants .Notary Public
    GOCC 22 MAR RECEIVED

    NOTICE OF MASSIVE WITHDRAWAL OF N6.7 BILLION NAIRA CASH, BY DAVID UMAHI, THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE FROM THE ACCOUNTS OF THE EBONYI STATE GOVERNMENT, DOMICILED IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA, TO FUND THE LEGAL FEES IN RESPECT OF THE APPEAL AGAINST THE JUDGMENT OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT SACKING HIM AS THE GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE: URGENT NEED FOR THE INTERVENTION OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION, TO STOP THE MASSIVE LOOTING OF THE RESOURCES OF EBONYI STATE, BY DAVID NWEZE UMAHI, THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE

    Our services have been retained by the Peoples Democratic Party, Ebonyi State chapter, whom we shall hereinafter, refer to as our client and on whose firm instructions we write to you, sir.

    It is our client’s Instructions that Pursuant to the Judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered on the 8. day of March 2022, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/920/2021, between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) V Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr David Nweze Umahi and Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, that David Nweze Umahi, was removed as the governor of Ebonyi State.
    Immediately upon the removal of David Nweze Umahi, as the governor of Ebonyl State, he commenced the massive looting of the properties and finances of Ebonyi State.

    Its further our client’s instructions that within a space of one week, David Nweze Umahi, the former governor of Ebony State, has withdrawn from the accounts of the Ebony State government, held with Zenith Bank, First Bank, United Bank of Africa, Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, Union Bank, FCMB,and Stanbic IBTC Bank, over 6 Billion Naira, to fund the legal fees for some of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, he has engaged to handle his matter on appeal.

    Our client has it on good authority that one of the Senior Advocates based in Lagos had asked for a down payment of the sum of six million as deposit, before accepting Mr Umahi’s appeal briefs. The naira withdrawals are immediately converted to dollars, to achieve this purpose.

    It is, therefore, our client’s instructions that we notify your esteemed office, of this massive looting of the resources of Ebonyi State by the former governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi. Our client, appeals to your esteemed office, to as a matter of urgency, use your powers to stop the massive looting of the finances of Ebonyi State, by David Nweze Umahi, given the Judgment of the Federal High Court, removing him from office as the governor of Ebonyi State.

    A copy of the enrolled Judgment orders of the Federal sigh Court is attached herewith for your information.
    Please accept the assurances of our Chambers’ highest esteem.
    Yours Sincerely, Nkemakolam Okoro S.C., Esq.

  • Murder of 35-year-old lady: Ebonyi community joins police to unmask killers

    Murder of 35-year-old lady: Ebonyi community joins police to unmask killers

    The Anike Community in Onicha Igboeze of Ebonyi has pledged to assist the police in their investigation to unmask the killers of 35-year-old lady native, Miss Nnenna Onu.

    The Chairman of the community, Mr Phillip Nwankwo, made the pledge while reacting to the gruesome murder of the lady by yet-to-be identified assailants.

    Speaking in an interview with NAN in Abakiliki on Sunday, Nwankwor described the incident as barbaric.

    He called on the people of the community to join hands with the police and other relevant security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the crime from the community.

    He said: “The act is purely an evil against our community and we condemn it in totality.

    “On our side as a community, we have already made a pronouncement and incantations against the persons that have hand in the killing of our daughter.

    “We believe and hope that our tradition will not allow them to go unpunished.

    “I promise that I am ready to support the police in finding the killers.”

    Meanwhile, the Ebonyi Police Command said it had commenced investigations into the incident, which happened on Dec. 23, 2021.

    The command’s Spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, said the police investigating team had visited the scene but no arrest had so far been made.

    “The police have commenced clinical investigation into the matter.

    “What delayed the investigation and arrest before now was that the family failed to make official report to the command when the incident happened.

    “Well, the family told us that the failure to report the matter on time was due to the threats to them by their relatives should they report to the police.

    “Right now, we are on top of the matter and the Police Commissioner, Mr Aliyu Garba, has pledged to get to its root.

    “We have visited the scene and we will continue to follow up until the perpetrators are brought to book,” Odah said.

    Recall that Nnenna, a graduate of Public Administration, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, was murdered in her Amagu Village, Ndiagu-Anike, Onicha Igboeze, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

    Her assailants severed her left leg from her body before setting her and her belongings ablaze behind her late father’s house.
    She reportedly burned beyond recognition.

    Also in an interview, the deceased younger sister, Mrs Juliet Onu, appealed to Gov. Dave Umahi and all the security agencies in the state to help her family to apprehend Nnenna’s killers and bring them to justice.

    Narrating the circumstances surrounding Nnenna’s death, Juliet feared that she could have been murdered over her efforts to recover their family inheritance after their father’s death.

    Juliet alleged that their inheritance was taken away after the death of their father many years ago, followed by the “mysterious death” of all their male siblings.

    “After the death of our father and brothers, Nnenna and I have been struggling to survive with our poor mother.

    “When I got married, I left, leaving Nnenna alone with our mother.

    “Today, my mother cannot go to farm because she has been deprived from ownership of any property after our father’s death.

    “Now, she cannot go to the village because they do not want her alive.

    “She has been living with me and my husband in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    “We were expecting her to visit us during the Christmas celebration but we did not see her.

    “On Christmas day, my husband travelled to the village to check on her only to find out that she had been murdered.

    “We want justice for our family, especially my mother, who is a widow.

    “We also call on religious leaders, civil society organisations and well-meaning individuals for assistance,” Juliet said.

  • Defection sack: Umahi withdraws stay of execution motion

    Defection sack: Umahi withdraws stay of execution motion

    Sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, on Wednesday, approached a Federal High Court (FHC). Abuja, to withdraw a stay of execution motion he filed due to a mistake in the application.

    Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume, SAN, counsel to Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, told Justice Inyang Ekwo at the mention of the suit.

    When the case was called, Ume informed the court that he had withdrawn the earlier motion to replace it with a new one.

    He said the development was due to the fact that a mistake occurred in the earlier stay of execution motion, especially in the spelling of Umahi’s name.

    The senior lawyer said that though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) served them with their counter affidavit yesterday (Tuesday), they sought to replace their motion with another due to the spelling error.

    Counsel to the PDP, James Onoja, also informed the court of their intention to respond to the new motion on stay of execution filed by Umahi and Igwe.

    Other parties, in addition, said they were yet to respond to the applicants’ motion.

    Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until March 21 to enable the respondents to file a counter to the application for stay.

    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.

    However, reported that 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 their counsel, 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.

    Umahi and Igwe, in the motion on notice dated March 9 equally sought 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 respectively.

    They further urged the court to stay the execution of its order restraining the INEC from recognising or continue to recognise them as governor and deputy governor of the state, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal dated and filed on March 9 by the appellants, among others.

  • Ebonyi House of Assembly declares 3 seats vacant

    Ebonyi House of Assembly declares 3 seats vacant

    Ebonyi House of Assembly has declared the seats of three members elected under the People Democratic Party (PDP) vacant.

     

    The lawmakers asserted that their resignation was stated in a letter purportedly written by the three lawmakers.

    According to the letter, the three lawmakers are Ali Okechukwu (Ishielu North); Franca Okpo Abakaliki North) and Victor Aleke (Ebonyi West).

    The three lawmakers and their PDP colleagues were not at the sitting.

     

    Fifteen All Progressive Party (APC) lawmakers however attended the sitting.

     

    Speaker Francis Nwifuru read the letters on the floor of the House after which he declared the seats of the three lawmakers vacant.

    He also ordered the clerk to write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify the electoral body of the development and the need to conduct fresh elections in the affected constituencies.

  • Sack: Umahi, deputy, others seek stay of execution of judgment

    Sack: Umahi, deputy, others seek stay of execution of judgment

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi and others have sought an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, staying the execution of its judgment directing them to vacate their offices over their defection to another political party.

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

    Justice Ekwo also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to immediately receive from the PDP, the names of its candidates to replace them.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday in a motion on notice filed by their counsel, Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume, SAN, the applicants prayed the court for an order staying the execution of the orders made against them.

    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.

    Umahi and Igwe, in the motion on notice dated March 9 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 respectively.

    They further urged the court to stay the execution of its order restraining the INEC from recognising or continue to recognise them as governor and deputy governor of the state.

    They equally asked for an order staying the execution of an order restraining them from putting themselves out as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi respectively pending the hearing and determination of the appeal dated and filed on March 9 by the appellants.

    Ekwo was further urged to grant an order restraining the PDP from submitting any names to the INEC for the purpose of declaring them as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi in replacement of the applicants and if already submitted and accepted, an order of injunction restraining the INEC from using or putting same into effect until the determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.

    They are further seeking an order restraining the INEC from conducting elections into their offices and or declaring the names of any candidate presented by the PDP as the governor and deputy Governor of Ebonyi pending the determination of the appeal filed by them.

    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.

    The grounds includes the fact that the applicants who are dissatisfied with the judgment of the court have appealed the said judgment to the Court of Appeal by filling their notice of appeal dated March 9.

    That the notice of appeal has been dully served on all the parties and the court.

    That they have also commenced the process for the compilation and transmission of the records of the appeal in the appeal.

    It is their prayer that unless execution of the judgment of the court is stayed, the outcome of the appeal filed by them will be rendered nugatory.

    The lawyer said that the appeal by his clients raised substantial, recondite and arguable issues of law with reasonable chances of success.

    He further argued that the rights of his clients would be highly jeopardised if the judgment of the court was allowed to be executed before their appeal is heard and determined.

    Ume said one of the serious grounds of the appeal was the substantial issue of jurisdiction, which he stated, constitute exceptional circumstances in consideration to which the law permit the grant of stay of execution pending the hearing and determination of the applicants’ appeal.

    Similarly, the 16 lawmakers of the Ebonyi House of Assembly who were ordered to vacate their seats had equally filed a motion of stay of execution of the judgment.

    Counsel to the lawmakers, Ume, iin a motion on notice dated March 9, prayed the court for an order staying the execution of the judgment as it affects the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers, he said, had equally filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court.

    The motion for the stay of execution of the judgment was also rooted on eight grounds and it sought an order of court restraining the PDP from submitting any names to the INEC for the purpose of declaring them as members of the Ebonyi House of Assembly in their replacement.

    It said if already submitted and accepted, they sought an order of injunction restraining the INEC from using or putting same into effect until the determination of the appeal filed by them.

    They also sought an order restraining the INEC from conducting elections to fill the vacancies created by their removal and or declaring the names of any candidate presented by the PDP as members of the Ebonyi House of Assembly pending the determination of the suit filed by them at the Court of Appeal.

  • Ebonyi: Vacate office now, PDP nominee Gov, Igariwey tells Umahi

    Ebonyi: Vacate office now, PDP nominee Gov, Igariwey tells Umahi

    The Governor nominee of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon Enwo Igariwey has advised Dave Umahi to stop parading himself as Governor as he is legally the Governor of Ebonyi.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Igariwey via a statement he issued on Thursday declaring that himself and Fred Udeogu are the rightful Governor and Deputy of the state.

    Hear him: “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.

    “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 Electoral Commission (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 Peoples Democratic 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.

    Read full release below:

    JUSTICE INYANG EKWO’S JUDGMENTS OF 8TH MARCH 2022, SACKING GOVERNOR DAVID UMAHI AND HIS DEPUTY: A CALL ON FORMER GOVERNOR DAVID UMAHI TO VACATE OFFICE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.

    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 Electoral Commission (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 Peoples Democratic 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 Judgments. 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.