… Sacked 2011 Set Obtains Court Order To Be joined In Suit
… Matter Starts Afresh At Appeal Court
… We Have Been Served With Stay Of Execution Order – Imo Police
Imo State Government has at last dribbled 2018 suspended ALGON who got judgement to be reinstated by Imo State Government from the Owerri Division of the Federal High court on July First 2020 as their 2011 colleagues who hitherto were sacked by former Governor Okorocha have secured court order to be joined in the suit.
In a press release signed by the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, COC Akaolisa and made available to Lead, the Court of Appeal had upon granting Leave of court to the 2011 ALGON further charged all the parties in the suit which include the Imo State Government, the 2018 ALGON, the 2011 ALGON as, well as, the Interim Management Committee appointed by the Uzodinma’s led administration to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit by the court of Appeal.
This by implication entails that the appointed Interim Management Committee appointed by the Uzodinma’s led administration would continue controlling the affairs of the 27 Local Governments in the State pending the determination of the substantive suit which is now before the Court of Appeal.
Akaolisa who in the said release warned the parties to obey the Appeal court ruling disclosed that it would amount to Court’s contempt if any of the parties involved take any action contrary to the court of Appeal’s stand on the instant issue.
Akaolisa who in the said release frowned at what he termed mischievous interpretations of both the Federal High Court’s judgement on the 1st July and the subsequent orders of the Court of Appeal which according to him are bent on causing break of law and order in the State enjoined those involved to stay put while the Appeal Court carries out its constitutional function.
However, with the latest ruling by the court of Appeal, the plans by the 2018 ALGON to reoccupy their offices at the Local Governments as gathered by this paper has been truncated.
Okorocha’s led administration had upon assumption of office in 2011, sacked the 2011 ALGON elected under the administration of his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim.
The sacked Chairmen and their Councillors led by Barr Enyinna Onuegbu as the ALGON secretary and Ruby Emele the chairman dragged Imo State Government from the Owerri High Court to the supreme court where the matter is pending.
While the Supreme Court is yet to give judgement on the pending suit, the plaintiffs had stepped down to be joined as an interested party in the suit between the Imo State Government and 2018 suspended ALGON.
It would be recalled that the embattled 2018 ALGON led by Emeka Osuorji the Ideato South Local Government chairman as the ALGON chairman, was suspended by the Ihedioha led administration which Uzodinma inherited.
Meanwhile, the Imo State police command has disclosed to the general public that they have been served with the stay of execution order and the notice of Appeal from the Appeal Court.
In a press release signed by the Police PPRO, Orlando Ikeoku, Imo police have called on all the parties involved in the suit to maintain status quo as ordered by the court pending the determination of the substantive suit.
It has come to the notice of the Imo State Police Command that the ousted Local Government Chairmen and their supporters are planning to forcefully take over office simultaneously on Monday 13/7/2020. This is a sequel to the claim that the High court ruling is in their favour. The appeal and stay of execution to that ruling has been received by the office of the Commissioner of Police Imo State. Just on 09/07/2020, the Appeal Court Order for the parties involved to maintain the status quo.
The Command, therefore, wish to warn those trying to cause problems to desist from this act that is capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order as the Command will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone taking laws into his/her own hands.
The Command is fully aware of the court judgement directing them to return to the office, and also the stay of execution and status quo obtained by the Interim Management Committee.
To this end, the command wishes to warn both parties to maintain status quo as directed by the court until a final judgement is pronounced.
The command wishes to state clearly that it will be ready to enforce and ensure the execution and compliance of the court judgement as soon as all legal processes are exhausted and the verdict received.
Similarly, the IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND wish to remind all the parties involved that the COVID 19 restrictions and directives is still in existence, as such, the ban on all forms of gathering/assembly is still in place, there shall, therefore, be no protest or gathering of any kind. Any person or group of persons found violating this executive order as issued by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.
Members of the public are advised to go about their lawful business as the Command is still in the business of protecting lives and properties.