In a unanimous judgement, Thursday, a five-man panel of justices of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja voided the June 27 judgement that sacked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State from office.
The appellate court berated Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, saying he erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice against Ikpeazu.
Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju, who delivered the lead judgement of the appellate court, held that Justice Abang “committed a grave violence against one of the pillars of justice” relating to fair hearing. He (Abang) placed the law on its head when it directed INEC to issue fresh Certificate of Return to Mr Sampson Ogah, the court stated. It awarded N100, 000 cost against Ogah.
Ogah came second in the PDP governorship primaries in Abia State. He went to court to disqualify Ikpeazu on the allegation that he submitted a fake tax clearance certificate.
