‘Disregard High Court Judgement, it’s null and void’, Umahi reassures
By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Tuesday reassured Ebonyians and supporters to disregard the Abuja Federal High Court judgment sacking him and his Deputy from office describing it as null and void as he still remains governor of Ebonyi State despite the ruling.
The Court had sacked David Umahi and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe from office following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and directed that the duo stop acting as governor or deputy governor.
Governor Umahi while Briefing newsmen at the new Government House, Abakaliki, noted that the High Court ruling was “jungle justice that was purchased”, and called on the state and his supporters to disregard the judgment stating that it is null and void.
Umahi stressed that it is only through death, resignation or Impeachment by the state House of Assembly that a serving Governor and his Deputy could be removed from office.
He faulted the High Court Judge, Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the judgement stating that, “it is obvious that he was on a mission. he was making all effort to upturn the rulings of the Supreme Court and Appeal Court on the issues like this. We have heard the rumours before now that he was determined to give judgment against all known laws and the constitution. First to embarrass APC, two to embarrass federal government.
“There is nothing to worry 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 seat; either by death, resignation or impeachment. By the House of Assembly. There is no any other constitutional provision that empowers a hatchet man to turn the constitution and the law upside down.
“For me, I do not feel worried but I feel so sorry for the judiciary. The Executive may have problems, the Legislature may have problems but the moment justice could be purchased, then we in trouble in this country and the ruling this afternoon is a clear evidence that this country is in trouble.
“Let me tell you that this same judge has over 10 cases against Ebonyi state government with him and you can imagine what he is going to rule. We have petitioned him before NJC and we will follow it up at all cost to ensure that this man is brought to justice. I want you to disregard the judgment, it is null and void. There is a subsisting judgment in Zamfara State and there is also a judgment in Ebonyi State. So, we have chosen the one to obey, we will not obey his ruling. We will obey the ruling of a competent court of equal level that says you cannot sue a Governor.
“The sections of the constitutions are very clear, no criminal or civil proceedings could be brought against a sitting Governor. This is not a pre-election matter, this is not a tribunal matter and so, he has murdered justice in this country and he will remembered and his generation for this jungle justice which has no leg to stand. I am still the Governor of Ebonyi state and he has no powers to remove me”, he said.
