Abia was thrown into confusion on Thursday as a High Court in the state issued an injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from issuing a Certificate of Return to Uchechukwu Ogah who was declared governor by an Abuja High Court on Monday.
The court, sitting in Osisioma, also restrained the Chief Judge of Abia State from swearing Ogah in while ordering the status quo to be maintained pending the determination of motion on notice.
Justice C.H Ahuchaogu, in granting the order, relied on section 143 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
INEC had on Thursday issued Ogah the Certificate of Return , three days after Okezie Ikpeazu was sacked as governor and ordered to immediately vacate office following his conviction for tax evasion.
Ikpeazu had said through his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, that he remained the governor because he was challenging the judgment in a higher court.
As an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, Ikpeazu argued that his taxes were deducted at source.
He also argued that the state Board of Internal Revenue in 2014 issued him with valid tax receipts before he contested the governorship election.
A defiant Ikpeazu urged residents to disregard his removal from office as governor.
He said the people should continue their normal business activities, saying there was no legal backing for such claims to manifest.
“I have received with concern report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as governor of Abia State, despite dependency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay.
“I want to appeal to Abians to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this provocation, unless and until the appellant courts have conclusively resolve the appeal, the status remains, I am still the Governor of Abia State,” Ikpeazu said.
Ikpeazu on Thursday cancelled his trip to Abia State University, Uturu, where he was billed to be a guest lecturer at the maiden edition of the institution’s Imminent Persons Lecture.
Ogah contested the 2015 governorship election ticket with Ikpeazu on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
