The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu against the judgment of the Abuja High Court, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Mr. Samson Ogah who came next to him in the PDP governorship primaries in the state.
Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja High Court had voided Ikpeazu’s election for tax evasion and directed INEC to issue Certificate of Return to Ogah, being the candidate that came next to him in the PDP primaries in the state.
INEC had immediately complied with the order, issuing Ogah with a Certificate of Return but Ikpeazu appealed the verdict and also filed an application for a stay of execution from the lower court.
Though Justice Abang turned down the application, saying the order has already been complied with by INEC, the non-availability of the state Chief Judge to swear in Ogah put paid to the order.
The five-member Court of Appeal headed by Justice Moronkeji last week turned down an application for joinder by APGA candidate in the Abia election, Chief Alex Otti, saying the issue over the primaries of PDP did not involve him.
Justice Moronkeji also ordered all parties to the case to maintain the status quo until the court gives its judgment.
