Appeal Court quashes sacking of Rivers council chairmen in 2015
The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Lambo Akanbi, had sacked the Chairmen following a suit filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after the resumption of former Governor Nyesom Wike in 2015.
However, the sacked Chairmen appealed the decision, citing the court’s refusal to hear their jurisdictional issues and join them in the matter.
A three-man panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice A.H. Lager-Balogun, criticized the Federal High Court’s decision, declaring the embattled Chairmen and their councilors as duly elected.
The Appeal Court also declared the earlier judgment as null and void but declined to make consequential orders regarding the vacancy at the 23 Local Government Councils.
Counsel to the embattled Chairmen, James Kalu-Momg, explained the Appeal Court’s position, stating that they would study the judgment to determine their next course of action
Meanwhile, Reginald Ukwuoma, one of the affected Chairmen, expressed his intention to assume duty, citing the vacancy at the LGA Secretariat following the judgment.
Ukwuoma confirmed the court’s decision, stating: “The Court of Appeal has delivered a unanimous judgment, notifying the infamous judgment of Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court that sacked the duly elected Council chairmen and their councillors in 2015.”
“The court held that we were not heard, and for going ahead before which we filed our interest and filed our motion. By virtue of this judgment, it then means that the duly elected chairmen of 2015 have been reconfirmed.”
On the implications of the judgment, Dr. Ukwuoma stated: “It goes naturally; if we confirm that there are vacancies in the local government councils, hence our election, the judgment that nullified our election has been overturned this morning.
“There shouldn’t have been any vacuum; what has been holding us all this while has been the judgment of Justice Akanbi. Since the judgment has been nullified and also certified that there is a vacancy by the Supreme Court, definitely, there won’t be any vacancy. We are the rightful persons to occupy all the council secretariats.
“We have already been sworn in. We do not need any further swearing-in. What we are expecting is to assume office, subject to when we certify our vacancies.”
https://guardian.ng/news/appeal-court-quashes-sacking-of-rivers-council-chairmen-in-2015/