Court sacks Abia Governor, Ikpeazu to appeal Judgement

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has annulled the election of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Dr. Samson Oga.

The court also ordered Ikpeazu to vacate office immediately

The order was based on the allegation that Ikpeazu submitted false information to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the party’s governorship primary in December 2014.

In his ruling, Justice Okon Abang ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately issue a certificate of return to the complainant, Uche Ogah.

Meanwhile,  Dr  Ikpeazu has called on Abians not to panic, but remain clam over the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered Monday in favor of Mr. Uche Oga against him, in the case of alleged falsification of tax receipts.

In a release by his chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu, who said that he has faith in the judiciary and rule of law, added that he will appeal the ruling as he has instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgment.

The Governor noted as an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), and first Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs respectively, before his resignation in October 2014 to contest the Governorship election in the state, that within the period  his taxes were deducted at source, and when he had need of his tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question.

He maintained that he remains the Governor of the state according to law and will await the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts.