Ebonyi PDP suit: Third judge withdraws

By KAYODE AJIBOYE

Justice Vincent Nwanchor handling a suit filed by Chief Onyekachi Nwaebonyi in an Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki challenging the dissolution of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has recused himself from the matter.

The withdrawal was the third time in a Presiding Judge was recusing himself from the case after Justice Elvis Ngene and the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Anslem Nwaigwe did same some weeks ago when the matter was handed over to them.

The suit was slated for ruling on the 18th of this month but was deferred till 20th of January following an application by Counsel to the Defendants, Chief Mudi Erenede that they had filed an appeal on the jurisdiction of the State High court.

At the resumed sitting, Chief Erenede tendered another application asking the Presiding Judge, Justice Nwanchor to recuse himself on grounds that he was a brother to the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Kelechi Igwe who was an interest party in the suit..

He also submitted that the Presiding Judge failed to protect him in the last adjourned date when Counsel to Chief Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Chief Roy Nwaeze threatened to slap him and therefore urged him to hand off the matter.

In a counter motion, Counsel to Chief Nwaebonyi urged the court to dismiss the application as the claim of brotherhood with the Deputy Governor would not taint his judgement.

He also averred that there was no factual evidence to support the claim that he threatened to slap Counsel to the defendants .

After listening to the arguments, the Presiding Judge, Justice Nwanchor ruled that he could not deny the fact that he was of the same community with to the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr kelechi Igwe and therefore recused himself to protect the integrity of the court.

He however dismissed claims that he did not protect Counsel to the defendants noting that courts intervention during the face-off between the two counsels was corroborated by other legal professions present at the court.

Justice Nwanchor said the file would be returned to the Court Register for reassignment. (Daily Independent)