Umahi’s Landing At Court Of Appeal Enables High Court To Strike Out His Stay Of Execution
The Oasis Reporters
March 21, 2022
When a Federal High Court in Abuja under Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo sacked Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe from office based on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) litigation that the duo defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), with their ticket, the governor and deputy ran back to the court asking for a stay of execution.
It was granted, and the aim was to enable them to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Having achieved that, the High Court has therefore struck out applications by Governor Dave Umahi, his deputy Kelechi Igwe and the 16 lawmakers seeking a stay of execution of their sack.
Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday struck out the applications after the applicants withdrew the applications.
“Upon being informed that records of appeal have been transmitted, and application to withdraw the stay of execution, the application is hereby struck out,” he said.
The court had on March 8 removed the officials over their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
But the parties on March 11 applied for a stay of execution at the high court and a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Earlier, counsel to Umahi, Chukwuma Machukwu Ume (SAN) had the motion to withdraw the application for stay of execution was no longer necessary as the records had already been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.
Counsel to the PDP, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) did not oppose the application but asked the court to dismiss the applications instead.
All parties are currently at arms akimbo, awaiting the fireworks to commence at the Court of Appeal in this racy case that is bound, either way to land at the Supreme Court.
The final judgement is already causing political tremors, as light footed governors issuing threats against their parties have called a truce and are retracing their steps to stay at “home”.
