We present to you the contents of an order filed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu which restrained his rival, Uche Ogah from being sworn-in as the new Abia state governor.
We
earlier reported that an Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia, issued an order restraining Uche Ogah from being sworn-in as the new state governor which was as a result of the issuance of a certificate of return on Thursday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following a Federal High Court order on Monday.
In the application filed by the embattled Governor Okezie Ikpeazu against both the issuance of the COR as well as the swearing-in of his rival, Ogah was listed as first defendant; INEC as second defendant, and the chief judge of Abia state as third defendant.
Read below;
“It is hereby ordered: That an order of injunction is hereby made restraining the second defendant from issuing a certificate of return to the first defendant while the claimant remains in office in accordance with section 143 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“It is further ordered: That the third defendant or any other judge of the court or any judicial officer are hereby restrained from swearing in the first defendant while the claimant remains in office in accordance with section 143 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.”
Signed;
C. H. Ahuchaogu.
Chief Judge.
Also, in a motion of ex-parte order, the court restricted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from issuing a certificate of return to Oga. The order reads:
“An order of injunction restraining the 2nd defendant (INEC) from issuing a certificate of return to the 1st defendant (Ogah) while the claimant (Ikpeazu) remains in office in accordance with section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“An order of injunction restraining the 3rd defendant (Chief Judge of Abia State) or any other judge of the court, or any judiciary officer from swearing in the 1st defendant (Ogah) while the claimant (Ikpeazu) remains in office in accordance with section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.”