Umahi Reacts To Court Ruling, Says Judge Cannot Remove Him

• The PDP had approached the court, asking for Umahi’s removal after he defected from the party to the APC

• Umahi said he will appeal the judgement by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Ekwo

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Governor David Umahi has reacted to the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that declared his seat and that of his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, vacant.

Governor Umahi said Justice Inyang Ekwo lacks the power to remove him from office and has put the judiciary on trial.

Read also: Court Sacks Gov Umahi Over Defection To APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the court, asking for Umahi’s removal after he defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in November 2020.

Speaking during a press conference in Abakaliki, Umahi said he was not surprised that the judge delivered the judgement in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, adding, “Ekwo was charged and needed to discharge.”

According to him, Justice Ekwo was on a mission to embarrass the All Progressives Congress and the Federal Government, saying, “I feel sorry for the Nigerian judiciary”.

Umahi said he will appeal the judgement by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Ekwo.

Umahi declared, “I am still the Governor of Ebonyi State and there is no tension at all. In the first place, there is no constitutional provision for any hatchet man to remove a governor.

“There are three ways whereby a governor can vacate his office: it is either by death, resignation and impeachment. There is no other constitutional provision that empowers a hatchet man to turn the Constitution upside down.

“I have listened to the judgement of Inyang Ekwo and it’s very obvious that he was on a mission. He was making all effort to upturn the rulings of the Appeal and Supreme Courts, on issues like this.

“We have heard the rumours before now that he was determined to give judgement against all known laws and the Constitution, first to embarrass the APC, and to equally embarrass the Federal Government.

“For me, I do not feel worried; but, I feel so bad for the judicial in Nigeria. The executives may have problems; the legislature may have problems, but the moment justice could be purchased, then we are in trouble in Nigeria.

“It’s obvious that the ruling this afternoon is clear evidence that this country is in trouble. And let me tell you, this same judge, has over ten cases against the Ebonyi State Government with him. And you can imagine what he is going to rule.

“We have petitioned him to NJC and we will follow it up to the end to ensure that this man (Ekwo) is brought to justice. I want you to disregard the judgement because it’s null and void.”

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