Group Asks CJN to Beware of Abia Politicians

A group, Concerned Abians in Lagos (CAL), has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to beware of moves by some desperate politicians in Abia State who are moving around the apex court with the aim of influencing the outcome of the appeal between Dr Samson Okechukwu Ogah and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

Addressing journalists in Lagos yesterday, the Coordinator of the group, Chief Kenneth Uchendu, said the group was aware of the desperate moves by some politicians who wanted to get justice through the back door.

According to him, a lady closed to the CJN was recently approached by one of the parties to the suit with an offer of hundreds of million of naira if she could provide access to the CJN.

“While we trust the CJN, we are however concerned that this desperate politician will stop at nothing in his desperate moves to get justice at all cost.

“We are therefore appealing to your lordship to endeavour to allow your brother justices be aware of this desperate move.”

However, the group refused to mention the names of the so-called desperate politicians whom it accused of seeking to influence the course of justice. 

The Supreme Court had already reserved judgment in the appeals against the judgment of the Court of Appeal upholding Ikpeazu’s election as governor of Abia State.

The apex court fixed judgment for May 12 after Ikpeazu and his challenger, Ogah who are both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had argued their respective positions before the court.

Before the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Justice Okon Abang had ordered Ikpeazu to vacate his office as governor. The judge also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Ogah with a certificate of return as the governor of Abia.

However, in a considered judgment the Court of Appeal set aside that judgment and found in favour of Ikpeazu. Ogah was dissatisfied and had appealed to the Supreme Court.