The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in Imo West, Jones Onyereri, has described as ‘slaughtering of justice’ the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue Rochas Okorocha certificate of return.
But the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance in the state, Uche Nwosu, described the ruling as a defender of constitution and democracy.
Speaking with journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Nwosu said the judiciary had continued to ‘preserve our democracy.”
He said, “The judiciary has shown that it is the last hope of the common man. The landmark judgement has shown that no matter how hard you try to suppress the truth, justice will always prevail.”
A statement in Owerri, the state capital, by the Director General, Jones Onyereri Campaign Organisation, Eze Ugochukwu, shortly after the judgment was delivered, accused Abang of bias in the matter.
Describing the judgement as a ‘nauseating decision’, the PDP candidate said he would appeal the judgment.
He accused Justice Abang of intimidating and harassing defence lawyers while allowing the plaintiff to have “a field day in court.”
The statement read in part, “We are not surprised by the decision of the Abuja High Court 7, presided over by Justice Okon Abang.
“Right from the commencement of the ex-parte application by Owelle Rochas Okorocha against INEC, the inevitability of the judgement was obvious.
“The handling of the case from the start, left much to be desired, as issues of obvious bias were not hidden, including suspension and abridgement of rules of court, overt intimidation of defence lawyers, and harassment of same; whereas the plaintiff lawyer was allowed a field day in court.
“The reality is that the decision came from a court of first instance. “Therefore, the decision stands to be tested at the appellate courts while the trial at the tribunal goes on.”
PUNCH
