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Abia Central: Appeal Court’s judicial fiasco, travesty not known in history, Group demands review
The Coalition for Social Justice and Good Governance (CSJGG) has demanded the immediate judicial review of the Court of Appeal’s judgment on Abia Central Senatorial Diatrict, saying the conflict of judgment showed its fiasco and travesty of justice not known in history.
In a press release signed by the Coalition’s Co-Convener,
Comr Ciroma Ahmed and sent to CAPITAL POST on Sunday, the expressed concern over the conflicting judgments by Justice Biobele A. Georgewill’s led National Assembly Election panel, warning that the Appeal Court’s miscarriage of justice could trigger judicial coup of democratic process.
CAPITAL POST reports that the Justice Georgewill’s panel sacked Senator Darlington Nwokocha on grounds of disqualification.
The read: “The dangerous, troubling and conflicting pattern of judgments by the Abia State National Assembly Election Appeal Court Panel sitting in Lagos to throw judicial caution to the winds, undermine Nigeria’s hard-won democracy and the overwhelming will of the people of Abia Central Senatorial District on February 25, 2023.
“The nullity of the National Assembly Elections is a broad daylight rape on justice and highly unbecoming of Judicial Officers.
“This fiasco is not only frightening but very dangerous to our democratic survival and raises several questions.
Senator Darlington Nwokocha
“First, the appeal panel members on this case were changed and reconstituted three consecutive times, before Justice Georgewill from Rivers State was posted as the Panel Chairman to do a hatchet job.
“The question is, what led to the changing of the panel members about three times? It is now obvious that they were in search of a willing officer who would execute the evil against the popular Will of the people of Abia Central.
“Also, by the Rules of Court proceedings, hearing notice for judgment was supposed to be given to parties ahead of time but Justice Georgewill led panel never informed the Counsel to the Labour Party nor Counsel to Distinguished Senator Nwokocha.
“Senator Nwokocha only got to know about the planned judicial coup when an anonymous lawyer on Friday, November 3rd, 2023, alerted him that he saw the case list suggesting that judgment on his matter may come up for ruling on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
“True to this intelligence, the panel secretly delivered judgment on the matter at about 600HRS on the night of Saturday, November 4, 2023, without adducing any reason for the purported disqualification.
“This was happening after the panel had earlier denied scheduling the case for judgment, but mysteriously they turned around, sat on the night of Saturday, November 4th 2023 and delivered a hatchet job.
“Perhaps, what is most shocking was the fact the judgment, which lasted less than three minutes declared that Sen. Darlington Nwokocha was not qualified to contest the elections without any legal reason and strangely went ahead to declare the PDP candidate as the winner.
“Curiously however, the same Justice Georgewill in about twenty minutes when the court proceeding reconvened for the second round of cases, reversed himself when he upheld the election of the Labour Party House of Representatives member for Isi-ala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency who had a similar case and pleadings both in character, contexts and on point of law with that of Senator Darlington. These are questions begging for answers.
“For us, this judicial debacle orchestrated by Justice Georgewill B. A constitutes a new low for the Nigerian judiciary and a danger to Nigeria’s democratic experience.
“It is a judicial coup on the democratic process, a subversion of the purposeful Will of the People of Abia Central Senatorial District, and a criminal judicial precedent capable of breeding chaos and breakdown of law and order in Abia State and Nigeria at large.
“Consequently, we call on the President of the Court of Appeal, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council, NJC to immediately constitute a Judicial Review Panel on the Abia Central Senatorial Appeal Court Judgement, mandate Justice Georgewill to release details of the judgment, and to correct the judgment he obviously issued in error and restore the public confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the people.
“The Coalition and the people of Abia are very much aware of the allegations in the public space that the Abia State Election Appeal Court Panel may have been hugely compromised and dented resulting in this fiasco of one judgment on a case with similar facts and reversal self in another judgement with similar circumstance, and facts of law.
“Distinguished Senator Nwokocha recorded an overwhelming and sweeping victory with over 92000 votes and won across the six LGAs that make up Abia Central Senatorial District.
“However, in a strange mission to put something on noting, Justice Georgewill gave a conflicting judgement to unduly assist the PDP who trailed behind with 41000 votes.
“We received the public news and unconfirmed reports that Justice Georgewill has indeed officially reversed the erroneous judgement and corrected himself. If this position is confirmed, that would be the greatest salvation of the Judicial in Nigeria.
“Nobody is above mistakes, no matter how grave the mistake is, recognising it and accordingly reversing himself is central to maintaining the peace and security of our people.
“In the light of the above, the Coalition demands as follows;
“That the President, Court of Appeal, Federal Republic of Nigeria, immediately constitute a Judicial Review Panel to examine the circumstances of the conflicting judgements;
“Call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to immediately convene an NJC meeting to address the numerous allegations against judicial officials;
“Call on Justice Georgewill to immediately release details of the judgement, issue a public apology to Nigerians and publicly address a press conference to reverse himself.
“If Justice Georgewill refuses to do the needful within the next three days, we will protest massively to call him out and use every legal means to drown his promised dream of being elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria”, the statement concluded.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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