Court Reserves Judgment In Appeals Seeking to Overturn High Court Decision on Abia Governor

• Shut out Sheriff’s faction

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved final judgment in multiple appeals filed by the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Independent National Electoral Commission and other interested parties seeking to overturn the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which sacked Okezie as governor.

A‎ five-man panel of Justices of the apex court led by Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju, adjourned the matter for judgment after it heard six separate appeals‎.

The hearing of the appeal which lasted till five o’clock in the evening ‎witnessed several drama including the attempt by the Ali Modu Sherrif’s faction of the PDP to come in but was rebuffed by the court.

Justice Ogunwumiju had drawn the attention of the court to a letter from the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP that sought to withdraw the appeal.

The said letter was signed by the Deputy National Legal Adviser of the party, Bashir Maidugu.

‎After hearing from the parties, including AI lawyer, Mr. Olagoke Fakunle, SAN, who said he appeared for the PDP, the court decided that Sherrif’s group had no business in the appeal.

“Mr. Fakunle, what exactly have you said? There are six appeals before this court which we must hear today. And we are going ahead with the appeals already filed. Do not disrupt this court again. You can go on appeal if you so wish.” Justice Ogunwumiju told the lawyer who was from Sherrif’s faction of the PDP.

Instead, the court recognised Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu , SAN, as the counsel to PDP and told others who claimed to be representing the PDP not to interrupt the hearing. Ikpeazu represented the party while the case was at the Federal High Court.

More details later