Factional chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ebonyi state, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Thursday invaded the premises of Ebonyi State High Court, Abakaliki, protesting the decision of Justice Vincent Nwanchor to recuse himself from entertaining a suit they filed before it.
While Justice Nwanchor made his decision known as the third judge in a row to reject the bidding of the plaintiffs in suit No: HAB/161/2020 after his brother judges; the State’s Chief Judge, Justice Anselm Nwigwe and Justice Elvis Ngene toed similar paths acceded to one of a two-point of facts contained in a motion on notice brought by the 8th defendant and also a lead counsel in the suit, Barr. Mudi Erhenede.
The defense counsels had contended that there would be a strong likelihood of bias by Justice Nwanchor if he goes ahead to hear the suit due to his close relationship with the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe who hails from the same Ikwo community and electoral ward with him.
The protest came barely 24 hours after the ruling.
They were over 100 youths that besieged the court premises to register their anger over the ruling.
It however took the intervention of the police to disperse the protesters and stop them from gaining access into the various court divisions which had already commenced sitting.
However, an Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice E. I Ekwo Thursday morning granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Nwebonyi and five others from parading themselves as members of the state executives of the party.
While granting the order sequel to a motion on notice in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/1609/2020, between Hon. Fred Udeogu and 11 others V. Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi (for himself and as representing members of the dissolved Ebonyi State PDP Executive Committee) and 5 others, Justice Ekwo restrained the Local Government and Ward Executives from not only parading themselves but also using the state secretariat of the PDP in Ebonyi or any of its property still in their custody.
“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st , 2nd and 3rd Defendants from in whatsoever manner parading, holding or continuing to parade or hold themselves out either individually or collectively as officers of the 11th Plaintiff or members of the State, Local Government Area and or Ward Executive Committees of the 11th Plaintiff in Ebonyi State pending the hearing and determination of this suit”.
The court equally ordered the Police and INEC to desist from giving any form of recognition whatsoever from all the restrained parties.
