By Victor Madumere
The Imo State Governor, Rochas Anayo Okorocha of APC must be in close contact with his legal team now to fashion out another strategy in his bid to delay, the commencement of the appeal filed by Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha of PDP against the ruling of a lower tribunal in his favour, following yesterday’s order by the Federal Appeal Court sitting in Owerri to serve him through substituted service.
All efforts by the appellant counsel Chief Mike Ahamba SAN to effect personal Service on Governor Okorocha who is the 1st respondent in the appeal failed, due to alleged evasion of personal service by the Governor to delay the appeal proceeding.
In a counter action on point of law, the appellant counsel sought the order of the Court. In an ex parte motion to empower them to serve the 1st respondent through substituted service as he is the only respondent out of 37 that has not been served, so as not to delay the proceeding as well as Justice.
In the spirit of justice delivery, the appeal Court having listened and considered the application of the appellant on point of law granted the prayer and order that the appellant should paste both the notice of appeal and record of appeal at the Government House Gate, Owerri for the 1st respondent.
With the service having been affected yesterday as ordered by the Court, it is now believed that the commencement of the appeal proceeding / hearing might not exceed next week.
