The much awaited legal firework on the legality of the May 6, 2011 supplementary election which calpulted Gov Rochas Okorocha as the 4th Executive Governor of Imo State resumed yesterday at the Court of Appeal Owerri, with disagreement dramas.
ACN and Araraume acted a legal drama at the court, when the presiding Judge Hon Justice Hassan Hussien Muktar called for counsel appearance. To the amazement of the court, two different counsel claimed appearance, for ACN, which generated argument. Barr. E.U Orafu who said he is the legal adviser to the party told the court he, as the legal adviser of the party was mandated by the state chairman of the party Hon Charles Chukwudi Uba to handle the case for the party.
In his own reaction / response, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN) told the court that he has handled the case for ACN and Araraume from the lower court and to the best of his knowledge he has not received any notice of change of counsel by any of his clients. It was finally decided by the court that for any change to take effect there must be a notice filed and served.
However, the court proceeded to take the motions filed by Chief Joe Agii (SAN) for PDP and Chief Ikedi Ohakim which appealed against the ruling of the lower court through a leave of the court asking to be joined as interested party. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) counsel to Okorocha and APGA objected the application and urged the court to strike it out backing his argument with an authority.
Again, Agii argued that the authority cited is not in tandem with the case at hand stating that the case at hand is an infringement of the constitution. Therefore they (PDP and Ohakim) can not stand aside when the ruling will affect them in whichever way it is delivered.
However, both Awa Kalu (ACN/Araraume) and Owonikoko (INEC) did not oppose/object the motion for joinder.
The Judge, finally adjourned the case to a date that will be communicated to the parties for ruling on the argued motion.
