The last is yet to be heard on the election into the Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Executive Council as a group has asked the court to quash the exercise.
Former information minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo had emerged victorious in the election having polled 242 votes to defeat his only rival Prof. Chiweyite Ejike, who got 13 votes.
However, a group, ‘Ohanaeze Caretaker Committee’ is asking the court to declare the ‘purported’ national election a nullity.
The Ohanaeze Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Ralph Obioha said that the immediate exco led by Enwo Gari-Igariwey lacked the constitutional powers to convoke an election since their tenure elapsed over a year ago.
In a suit they filed at the Enugu High Court on December 21 against the Igariwey led executive, they had asked the court to stop them from conducting any election into the body and which the court on December 22 granted the applicants leave of service by substituted means.
They had further contended that members of the Igariwey executive were card carrying members of political parties contrary to the constitution of Ohanaeze.
When the matter came up yesterday for hearing, Counsel to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief James Ikeyi (SAN) had asked for adjournment to enable him prepare his defence.
He stressed that the 42-day window upon which they were expected to file their defence had not ended.
Justice A.O Onovo while adjourning the matter to March 1 2017 for hearing, urged parties to help the court dispense it on time.
Briefing newsmen after the court session, a former Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Enechi Onyia (SAN), said it was contemptuous for the Igariwey led executive to conduct the national election after the service of the court on the matter.
“Once you are served a court document against a matter, the natural thing is for you to withhold action pending the determination of the matter.
“Prof Anya O. Anya should not have conducted the election having been served the court document or sighted it. I think time had come for people to respect the court. We are no longer in a jungle.
“The Supreme Court has held that once an action is pending, you should allow the court take decision. We cannot allow this illegality to stand”, he stated.
Asked how he thinks the matter could be settled, he stated that it was for Ndigbo to allow the Elders committee of Ohaaneze led by Chief Mbazulike Amechi or the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) led by Prof Ben Nwabueze to conduct fresh election into Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He added that the approved tenure for the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was two years and not four years as spent by the Igariwey executive.
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