The Ebonyi Division of the Federal High Court has sacked the 13 council chairmen and 171 councillors in the state.
The presiding Judge, Justice H.I.O. Oshomah, held that the July 2024 local government and councilorship elections in the state did not conform with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The court voided and cancelled the local government and councilorship elections and asked the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) and the state government, who are the 2nd and 3rd respondents, not to conduct further local government and councilorship elections in the state except in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
The court granted most of the reliefs sought by counsel to the 1st plaintiff, Hamilton Ogbodo, and 2nd plaintiff, Chief Mudi Erhenede, granted consequential orders on the matter.
Hamilton Ogbodo, counsel to 1st plaintiff, Samuel Udeogu, hailed the judgement.
“We expect them to obey the court order. The local government chairmen have been sacked by the order of the court. The court has done exactly what the law says it should do because these things are in black and white.
“It is when you don’t want to obey the law, you know, read it the way you want so that it can serve your own goals,” he said.
“So, in effect, the local government election that was conducted in July 2024 in the state is no more there; it has been cancelled by the court.
“If the second and third defendants want to do what the law says they should do, they should revert to the status quo and obey the court order.
“We are waiting for them because the time within which they can appeal this judgement is still running, and when it expires, we will know what to do.
“We expect them to obey the court order. The court has done exactly what the law says it should do because these things are in black and white,” Mr Ogbodo said.
Also, Mudi Erhenede, counsel to Isu Amaechi, who is the second plaintiff, commended the judgment.
“I commend Justice Oshomah’s ruling on the 2024 local government and councilorship elections in the state and urge the court to make available the judgment within a possible time,” Mr Erhenede said.
This judgment marks yet another instance in which the court has nullified local government elections in the state. Earlier, in August 2022, the court had similarly voided the local government polls, declaring them null and void for violating due process.
Following the latest ruling, the current council officials are expected to vacate their offices immediately. The affected council chairmen include:
1. Abakaliki – Chief (Hon) Nwogba Ebere Stephen
2. Afikpo North – ENGR Timothy Nwachi
3. Afikpo South (Edda) – Chima Ekumankama
4. Ebonyi – Hon. Barr Chinedu Uburu
5. Ezza North – Mr Moses Ogodo-Ali Nomeh
6. Ezza South – Mrs. Euphemia Nwali
7. Ikwo – Barr. Sunday Nwankwo
8. Ishielu – Agwu Peace Ifeoma
9. Ivo – Hon chief Ajah Emmanuel Ogbonna
10. Izzi – Hon. Barrister Emenike Steve
11. Ohaozara – Hon. Ajah Chinonso
12. Ohaukwu – Hon.Prince.Odono Ikechukwu Onwe-Odogwu
13. Onicha – Hon. Ikechukwu Ogboffia
What does this court ruling mean for local governance and democracy in Ebonyi State? Let’s know your views in the comment section.
