Sacked Abia Governor appeals Court order

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, of Abia state, on Tuesday filed a notice of appeal and application for stay of execution at the court of appeal in Abuja against the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the federal high court ordering his removal from office.

Enyinnaya Appolos, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor disclosed this in a statement following an Abuja Court ruling that accused him of tax evasion.

On Monday’s, the federal high court deemed him unqualified to have been elected governor, and declared that Uche Ogar, who came second at the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) primary‎, be declared winner instead.

In the suit, Ogar had contended that the governor evaded tax prior to his election, and as such was‎ unqualified to hold an elective office.

The judge upheld the argument, ordering the removal of Ikpeazu for submitting false information to the PDP in the course of the party’s primary election.

However, Ikpeazu vowed to appeal the judgement, telling his supporters not to panic because he “remains the governor of the state according to law”.

NEWSVERGE reports that the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, after the Court ruling called on Abians not to panic, but remain calm over the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered today in favor of Mr. Uche Oga against him, in the case of alleged falsification of tax receipts.

He assured that he has faith in the judiciary and rule of law, adding that he will appeal the ruling as he has instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgment.

The Governor noted as an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), and first Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs respectively, before his resignation in October 2014 to contest the Governorship election in the state, that within the period his taxes were deducted at source, and when he had need of his tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question.

He maintained that he remains the Governor of the state according to law and will await the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts.