Attacks on judiciary: NBA President Appeals Judge To pardon Umahi, says Ebonyi Gov Has Apologised

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olumide Akpata said Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi has apologised for his outburst following a Federal High Court (FHC) judgment which ordered him and his Deputy to vacate office.

Akpata said Umahi communicated his apology to him on Wednesday adding that the Governor’s apology would be transmitted to Justice Inyang Ekwo – who ordered Umahi’s sack – and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammad Tanko Ibrahim.

On Tuesday, Justice Ekwo ordered Umahi and his deputy Eric Igwe to vacate office and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to receive the names of candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to replace the duo.

The decision came nearly two years after the governor and his deputy defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But Umahi declined to quit, saying the court lacked the power to remove him from office.

He also launched a scathing attack against the judiciary and accused Justice Ekwo, of doing a “hatchet job”.

On Wednesday, he announced that he had filed an appeal against the judgment.

On same day, Akpata demanded an apology and retraction from Umahi.

In a statement on his Facebook page, the NBA President said the governor had backtracked.

Akpata said: “On 9th March 2022, I issued a statement unequivocally condemning the reaction of H.E. Engr. Dave Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State to the judgment of the FHC Abuja which ordered him and his Deputy to vacate office. I also demanded an apology and a retraction of the comments.

“Following that statement, H.E. Engr. Umahi made extensive efforts to reach me and in the course of our conversation, I reiterated that the NBA has no interest in the case other than to ensure that the sanctity of the judicial system is protected and the rule of law respected.

“In line with our demands, H.E. Engr. Umahi addressed a cross section of Ebonyi State citizens, where he unreservedly apologised for his comments, clarified his intentions and very importantly too, called for calm from his supporters while urging them to refrain from denigrating the Judiciary.

“I will immediately transmit this apology to His Lordship, Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo and My Lord the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the head of the Judiciary in Nigeria, and urge them to also accept same.

“I must restate for the sake of emphasis that there is a well established procedure for challenging unfavourable decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction and the NBA under my administration will continue to fulfil its mandate by rising to the defence of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the sanctity of court orders.

“Now that the right thing has been done and the appeal process has been activated, we shall resume our backseat and allow the process take its course.

“As far as the NBA is concerned, this brings an end to this unfortunate episode but we hope that important lessons have been learnt.”