An Ebonyi High Court headed by Justice Henry Njoku has granted a renewable seven days order against the removal of Governor Dave Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe from office.
The interim order was sequel to the ruling by Justice Iyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court proclaiming the governor, his deputy, and 16 state lawmakers removed over their defection from a state high court for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
“Motion Ex-parte dated and filled on 9th March 2022 and brought pursuant to order 39 rule 3(3) of the high court rule of Ebonyi state, 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honourable court coming before His Leadership, Justice Henry Njoku on 10th March 2022 praying the court as follow.”
“An Interim order of the court for seven days (subject to renewal) that in view of its judgement in suit No.HAB/13/2022 delivered on 28th February, 2022 being a judgement in rem and having procedure over any subsequent contrary judgement.
“The applicants Engr. David Umahi and Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe shall remain and not removed from office as governor and deputy governor of the state, respectively”, the motion read in part.
Similarly, Umahi and Igwe have equally sought a stay of execution from a Federal High Court on judgement ordering their removal.
In their motion on notice, filed by their counsel Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume (SAN), Umahi and Igwe asked the court to stay execution on the request upon INEC to conduct fresh election.
They are also asking the court to stop INEC from recognising the names submitted by the PDP as their replacements.
