Ikpeazu's sack, miscarriage of justice - Abia commissioner

As reactions and protests still trail the recent sack of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, over alleged falsification of tax re­ceipts, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftain­cy Affairs, Chief Charles Ogbon­naya, has described the judgment as miscarriage of justice.

This is as security has been beefed up around Government House Umuahia to forestall any possible security breach following the power tussle between Ikpeazu and Dr. Uche Ogah who both lay claims to the seat of power.

The recent development has triggered series of protests in Aba and Umuahia as supporters of Ik­peazu have continued to besiege Government House to show their solidarity with a vow to resist ille­gal removal of the governor from office even as speculations con­tinue to heighten that Ogah could be sworn in any moment despite the on-going public holidays in the state as well as the court injunction against such inauguration.

Chief Ogbonnaya who spoke with our correspondent in Umua­hia, said the trial judge erred in law by sacking the governor based on the alleged tax receipt falsification, which he (Ogbonnaya) said was barefaced falsehood.

He contended that Ikpeazu was a public servant prior to his emer­gence as governorship candidate, and that his tax was being deduct­ed at source, hence the argument that he falsified his tax certificate did not hold water.

Ogbonnaya who said the judg­ment came to him as a surprise, however, expressed the confidence that the judgment would be over­turned at the Appeal Court.

He said that Gov. Ikpeazu is a child of destiny who had been or­dained by God to lead Abia, add­ing that nobody could snatch his mandate through the back door.

“The God that did it for Ikpeazu at the Supreme Court when Alex Otti of APGA was given erroneous judgment at the Appeal Court will do it again”, he said, adding that “there is no cause for alarm”. He assured the governor of the maxi­mum and continued support of the people, while urging him not to be distracted by the judgment which he said was against the collective will of Abians.

He strongly condemned the “desperation by Ogah to take over power from the back door”, saying it makes mockery of democracy.

In his reaction, the National Deputy Treasurer of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Dr. Kingsley Chi­dozie, said the judgment would not stand in Appeal Court.

He appealed for calm among Abians, expressing hope that Gov. Ikpeazu will serve out his tenure.

His words: “We have faith in the judiciary and in the rule of law. The governor will triumph at the end. He was divinely chosen and has the mandate of Abians to be our governor.

“I urge all Abians, especially youths, to remain calm and law abiding in this travailing period because the Federal High Court ruling will not hold water in the appellant court.”