Contrary to the ruling of a Federal High Court, Abuja, the Ebonyi State High Court has granted an interim order recognising David Umahi and Kelechi Igwe as the Ebonyi state Governor and Deputy Governor respectively.
The court held that the judgement it delivered on 28th February 2022 regarding the defection of Umahi and Igwe to the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains valid and as such should have precedence over any other contrary judgement and should be binding on all parties, persons and authorities.
Umahi and his Deputy had approached the Ebonyi High Court, rejecting the ruling of the Abuja High Court which sacked them from their respective positions. The duo had agreed that the Ebonyi High Court ruling which maintained that they did not flout any law by defecting to the APC, should remain valid and should take precedence.
In his ruling, Justice Henry Njoku granted the prayers sought by the duo and adjourned the matter to March 16 for a hearing on the motion on notice.
He declared: “it is hereby ordered as follows, an interim order of this honourable court for seven days(subject to renewal) is hereby granted in view of the judgement in suit no. HAB/13/22 delivered on the 28th day of February 2022, being a judgement in rem and having precedence over any contrary judgement.
“The applicants hereto Engr David Nweze Umahi and Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe shall accordingly remain and not be removed from office as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi state respectively”
