Governor David Umahi and his deputy, Eric Kelechi Igwe, were ordered to remain in office by an Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki on Thursday.
Umahi and his deputy asked the court to secure an order allowing them to remain in office until the Appeal Court rules on his defection from the PDP to the APC, InsightnaijaTV reports.
Justice Henry Njoku, the trial judge, affirmed that
The trial Judge, Justice Henry Njoku affirmed that “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 cited the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of IGWEMMA & Anor Vs OBIDIGWE & ORS, stating that the decision was binding on the parties in the case and others dealing with the status of the Governor and 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.”
