^{By Chikwendu Wisdom}

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, on May 12, Defeated Masters Energy CEO, Mr Uche Ogah at the Supreme Court in Abuja.

It must be recalled that Ikpeazu defeated Ogah in the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, primaries ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

Build Up To The Ruling

Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja had on June 27, 2016 sacked Ikpeazu from office as governor of Abia State, after the court found him guilty of tax offences.

Abang ordered Ikpeazu to vacate office for Ogah, who challenged Ikpeazu’s eligibility to contest the 2015 governorship election as the flag bearer of the PDP.

Following the judgment and order for the immediate inauguration of Ogah as Abia governor, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, issued him with the Certificate of Return.

The development generated a heated controversy and debate on why INEC acted in a hurry.

But in another judgement in August, 2016, the Court of Appeal affirmed the election of Ikpeazu and quashed the judgment of Justice Abang.

The Court of Appeal described the ruling by Justice Abang as a rape of democracy, and ordered Ikpeazu to retain his office.

Subsequently, Ogah approached the Supreme Court where he prayed that the High Court judgement should be upheld.

The Supreme Court Ruling Today

At the Supreme court Today, the Lead judgment in the Ikpeazu Vs Ogah case was prepared by Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed and was read by Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko.

Justice Eko Read:

“THERE IS NO SUBSTANCE IN THIS APPEAL , THE APPELLANT FAILED TO PROVE THE SUBSTANCE OF HIS ALLEGATION. THIS APPEAL IS HEREBY DISMISSED WITH COSTS OF 250,000 NAIRA”

“Ladies and gentleman, The good people of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Phd remains the Governor of Abia State” he concluded.