An Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia and presided over by Justice O. A. Chijioke, Wednesday, reversed itself on the suspension of the governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Ikechi Emenike, from the party.
The court granted a stay of execution on its May 26 judgment, which upheld the suspension of Emenike from his Nkwoegwu ward chapter of the APC.
The Court, by the Wednesday judgment, restored Emenike’s membership of APC even as another High Court sitting in Umunneochi, presided over by Justice Benson Anya, had on November 4, 2021, nullified the said suspension.
The judgment in suit No HU/6/2022: Chinedum Nnoke & 3 Ors Vs High Chief Ikechi Emenike & 2 Ors was delivered shortly after Emenike’s victory in the party’s governorship primary election.
Speaking after the order, counsel to Emenike, Mr. Vigilus Nwankwo, said the order was consequent upon an appeal against the judgment and a motion for a stay of execution.
He expressed delight that the court had graciously granted the stay of execution request.
According to him, the matter will be dealt with at the appeal court where they are already challenging the earlier judgment.
“The legal battle now moves to the Court of Appeal to determine if the judgment will stand or not based on our appeal. The mission to rescue Abia State is unstoppable as God is still, and remains on the throne,” he said.
The State Chairman of APC, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, described the judgment as cheering to the teeming members of the party.
“The suit is part of the huddles we’re likely to encounter on our journey to liberate the state. And I want to assure the residents that the end of their hard times will begin as soon as we assume office,” he added.