JUST IN: Court Sacks Governor Of Ebonyi, Deputy
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday declared that the defection of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress, was illegal, null and unconstitutional. INDEPENDENT reports.
The court made the order in a judgement on a suit filed by the PDP seeking the removal of Governor Umahi and his deputy, Dr Igwe from office. Information Guide Nigeria
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Live, Study and Work in Canada. No Payment is Required! Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to CanadaCourt noted that the crux of the matter was the defection of the 3rd and 4th from the PDP to the APC. jamb results
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The court said the averments of the 3rd and 4th Defendants did not address the issue of defection rightly and frontally but rather resorted to general denial to affidavit evidence.
Justice Ekwo said the depositions of the 3rd and 4th Defendants in their counter affidavit were “evasive and insufficient” to competently challenge the Plaintiff’s originating process.
It was the opinion of the court that the “Immunity Clause” in section 308 of the Constitution is not absolute.
“Section 308 is a veritable constitutional shield,” and not for political reasons.
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The court said Umahi and Igwe did not controvert the deposition that total votes scored in an election belong to a political party.
Justice Ekwo said evidence abounds that the 2nd defendant (APC) contested the Ebonyi State Governorship election held on March 2019, with its own candidates.
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Live, Study and Work in Canada. No Payment is Required! Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to Canada“It can be noted that the Constitution does not deal with the issue of defection lightly” the court stated.
“The 3rd and 4th Defendants cannot transfer the votes and victory of the Plaintiff on March 9, 2019, to the APC.
“Office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state belongs to the PDP.
“The option for Umahi and Igwe is to vacate office and wait for next election to contest election under the platform of its new party, the court declared.