Umahi says judge was paid to remove him, slams Nigerian judiciary
The Ebonyi State governor. Mr. David Umahi has said he is going nowhere as the judgment of the high court that removed him from office on Tuesday was bought and by reason of the decision, he only has pity for the Nigerian judiciary.
He however said since the decision is subject to appeal, he will surely exploit the option.
Umahi in his reaction in Abakaliki declared that he was still the governor of Ebonyi State.
He sneered that the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo, which rendered his office and that of his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe a nullity for swapping political parties was purchased.
He said that he was not surprised that the judge delivered the judgment in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, adding, “Ekwo was charged and needed to discharge.”
Umahi stated this during a press conference in Abakaliki, on Tuesday.
According to him, Justice Ekwo was on a mission to embarass the All Progressives Congress and the federal government, saying, “I feel sorry for the Nigerian judiciary.
The two-term governor said he will appeal the judgment by the Federal High Court.
He further affirmed: “I am still the governor of Ebonyi State and there is no tension at all. In the first place, there is no constitutional provision for any hatchet man to remove a governor. There are three ways whereby a governor can vacate his office: it’s either by death, resignation and impeachment.
There is no other constitutional provision that empowers a hatchet man to turn the Constitution upside down.
“I have listened to the judgment of Inyang Ekwo and it’s very obvious that he was on a mission. He was making all effort to upturn the rulings of the Appeal and Supreme Courts, on issues like this.
“We had heard the rumours before now that he was determined to give judgment against all known laws and the Constitution, first to embarrass the APC, and to equally embarrass the federal government.
“For me, I do not feel worried; but, I feel so bad for the judiciary in Nigeria. The executive may have problems; the legislature may have problems, but the moment justice could be purchased, then we are in trouble in Nigeria.
