ABIA APC INTERNAL WRANGLING: IKECHI EMENIKE FACTION BRAGS OVER PETITION ON NJC OVER ABIA JUDGE
THE Ikechi Emenike led faction of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia State that petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Honourable Justice Chibuzor Ahuchaogu in the battle for the soul of APC in Abia State has sighed a.sigh of believe on the grounds that with the petition they have rested and frustrated the on going matter at the state High court.
A copy of the petition.obtained dated 21st febuary,2022 Titled “PETITION AGAINST HONOURABLE JUSTICE CHIBUZOR AHUCHAOGU OF ABIA STATE HIGH CIURT OVER OF ABUSE OF JUDICIAL OATH AND POWER” IN SUIT NO HUK/50/2021” signed by the alledged Chairman of the faction by Dr Kinsley Ononogbu
THE two page petition read” we write to draw your attention to cases of abuse of judicial OATH and power by justice chorizo Ahuchaogu of Abia state High Court Ukwa Division in SUIT no HUK/40/”2021
Suit no HUk/50/2021,Davis Jumbo&3Ord vs All Progressive Congress (APC)& 8 others( APC Officers) is all about completed APC congresses long concluded in Abia State.
To our greatest shock,without service of court process on any of their Defendants and in an ex-parte application. Hon justice Ahuchaogu on 12/11/21 granted interim orders that sought.to restrain the party fromrecognizing it’s legitimately elected Abia state chairman and to stop the chairman from acting in such capacity.
The judge granted the order without reference to his ousted jurisdiction in such domestic of a political party.
“On 19/1/22 the defendants, through counsel, appeared before the court for the first time, and argued a preliminary objection, pointing to the interim order made without jurisdiction citing recent Supreme Court decision. On 18/2/2022, Honourable Justice Ahuchaogu again strangely, ruled assuming jurisdiction in a matter that suggests special interest. As party members, we know that the rulings are in bad faith and abuse of judicial powers. We have also consulted our legal advisers on the order and ruling of 12/11/21 and 18/2/2022 respectively and petition as follows:
“That the interim orders made by Justice Ahuchaogu were without powers, abusive and contrary to current judicial authorities on the issue particularly, APC vs. Moses (2021)14 NWLR (Pg 1796)276
“That Justice Ahuchaogu aware of the current authorities, assumed jurisdiction in what the Supreme Court recently described as pre-pre-election matter
“That the actions of Justice Ahuchaogu were out of bias, against his judicial oath and with intent to cause disaffection within the Abia APC family in particular and the entire APC in Nigeria in general.
“That Justice Ahuchaogu deliberately assumed jurisdiction to hear and determined a matter which has been decided previously by a court of coordinate jurisdiction in suit HUM/01M/2022 and HUM/26/2021.
“Justice Ahuchaogu should be stopped from his deliberate desire to pervert justice”.
Reacting, the Publicity Secretary, Mike Ozoemena claimed awareness of the petition, stating “when a man who is weeping is drowning, he clutches whatever is around to keep him afloat. Emenike and co are drowning people”, stating that the two factions will slug it out at the Owerri Court of Appeal where the matter is currently on the 21st of the Month.
According to him,“The learned Judge would be vindicated at the Appeal Court” on that date.
A party source said the authentication of ikechi Emenike congress is illegal as “the Matter before Hon. Justice Ahuchogu in Akwuette in Ukwa East in respect of party congresses in the state”.
The source maintained “The court had restrained the National Secretary and others, including the SEC and registered members of the party from conducting any other congress. The order was granted by Ahuchaogu.
“The Judge was expected to open the case for judicial matter take its course, only for the Ikechi faction to petition NJC to frustrate the matter knowing well that the weight of the law is in favour of the main party.
“On the strength of this petition signed by one Kingsley Ononogbu, they have now gone to the street to celebrate an unmerited victory, beating their chest that the matter will not see the light of the day”.
Dependable source from the Ikechi Emenike camp that spoke on condition of anonymity said that the aim of the Ikechi faction was to frustrate the Judge, (justice Ahuchaogu) and the main party group from concluding and arriving at the provisional judgment, adding that all these antics was stall matter till the end of party congresses up to the national.
They claim that justice Ahuchaogu has no jurisdiction to look into party matters, “But they also approached Justice Benson Anya at Umunneochi who gave them ruling on the matter they said the courts in the state have no jurisdiction”.
“So, they also forgot that the said case was in court before their Umunneochi court and that is worthy of note that two of their lawyers were defendants at Ahuchogu court, but now divided themselves to become plaintiffs and defendants/respondents lawyer”.
Meanwhile, there are indications that the Ikechi Emenike-led faction delegate list for the national congress on the 26th of March has been thrown out and that of the main party in the state led by Hon. Acho Obioma is now the authentic list.
