The legal fireworks that have been ragging at the Abia governorship Tribunal for two months now between Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP and Dr. Alex Otti of APGA will soon come to an end as the Tribunal on Wednesday, the 8th day of August, 2019 fixed the 29th of August for adoption of written addresses.
The counsels of the petitioner, Dr. Alex Otti OFR presented their matter, called their witnesses and closed its case, while the counsels of the respondents also did same.
The Respondents were given 10 days to prepare their address while the petitioners were given 7 days to respond. Each of the parties was also given 3 days to respond on Point of Law.
While adjourning on Wednesday, the Tribunal fixed Thursday, 8th August, for the hearing of the application filed by a faction of APGA seeking for the withdrawal of APGA from Dr. Otti’s petition.
The said suit initiated by the former APGA state Chairman, Augustine Ehiemere and former State Secretary, Onukwubiri Sunday, was filed by a known PDP member Ukpai Ukairo.
However, while Barr. Ukairo who seems to struggle to establish legally tenable grounds for the granting of his relief, claimed that his clients were ‘recognized by the national leadership”, and that the national executive of APGA is in support of the move.
To the shock of the Lawyer and his clients, Otti/APGA’s lawyer, Barr. Ken Ahia (SAN) took it to a level that clearly rattled their nervous system, especially the lawyer.
Among all Barr. Ahia’s submissions, the few that seems to jolt their lawyer the more were;
1. That they failed to depose any letter of authorisation from the APGA he came to represent, especially, the NWC. An act that’s akin to impersonation.
2. That they claimed to have written from the APGA Office located at School Road, Umuahia, meanwhile, the same people are in court at Uzuakoli seeking to be recognised as APGA officials as well as permitted to enter and occupy same office, presently occupied and used by the Present State Chairman, Hon. Nkem Okoro and members of his SWC.
3. The most frightening and devastating to Barr. Ukairo was Barr. Ken Ahia’s call on the Tribunal to seriously and decisively discipline him for going against the Professional Ethics of the Bar.
According to Barr. Ahia, since Barr. Ukairo had entered the witnesse box in the course of the Prosecution of the governorship case, as a PDP Witness from Ohafia LGA against APGA, it was unprofessional and unheard of for him to also appear as Council for individuals purportedly seeking for the withdrawal of APGA from the matter.
After hearing arguments from the two councils, the court reserved ruling on the matter.
