Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court sitting in the country’s capital, Abuja, has adjourned the appeal filed by Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha challenging the decision of the appeal court to join ex- Governor Ikedi Ohakim as a party to the suit filed by governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, challenging the legality of supplementary elections of May 6, 2011 that produced Okorocha as the incumbent Imo Number One Citizen.

Adjourning after the counsels of the interested parties had made their submissions and withdrawals for consolidation of motions, Chairman of the seven-man judicial panel, Justice Tanko Mohammad, said the matter before them is not within the framework of cases which have a statutory time frame of 180 days.

He therefore urged the counsels especially who are to prepare their necessary motions so as not to continue the matter ad infinitum.

Speaking with journalists after the court session, Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, said he believes in the judiciary and that they expect that justice would be done at the end of the day.

His words: The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. How can you explain it to the masses of Imo State? What would you tell them that happened to their votes? Nigerian Judiciary has done well and with the emergence of the new Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloma Muktar, a lot is being done to uphold the high integrity the judiciary is known.

“Today, democracy is on trial. People who believe in justice are waiting; the good people of Imo State who are the installers and establishers of Rescue Mission Government are watching.

“I mean, how can anyone explain it? A matter had been properly handled by the competent courts of law from the lowest to the apex level and now somebody felt he could come back through the back door. It is only an intruder or a thief that comes into a house through the window or back door or through a door break. There must be some explanation. His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s mandate is divine, which was authenticated by the masses of IMO State.”

In the same vein, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu, said that with what happened today at the Supreme Court is clear that the PDP plot is an effort in futility.

“Even a layman knows that their case lacks merit,” Uwajumogu said.

He said he had expected PDP to join hands to support Governor Okorocha, who is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in transformation of Imo State.

The court premises was filled with Imo Community resident in Abuja who said they came to show solidarity with Governor Okorocha. Ohakim’s media aide, Ethelbert Okere, and other some Ohakim supporters belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were also in attendance.

•Photo shows Chief Justice Aloma Muktar.

Update news