By CHARLES IWUOHA

An Abakaliki High court presided over by Justice Henry Njoku, has issued an order of rem that Ebonyi State Governor, Engr David Umahi and his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe are still in charge of affairs of the state.

In a suit No HAB/13/2022 delivered by Justice Njoku on February 28, 2022, the Court dismissed the suit seeking to sack Umahi and his Deputy from offices for defecting from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suit was filed by Senator Sunny Ogbuorji, who ran for the 2019 governorship; his running mate and APC.

However, in another suit, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday sacked Umahi and his deputy for defecting to the APC.

But delivering on a motion ex-parte, Justice Njoku maintained that his earlier judgement which came before the judgement of the Federal High Court remains valid and subsisting.

He said: “An interim order of this Honourable Court for seven days (7) subject to renewal is hereby granted, in view of its judgement in Suit NO HAB/13/2022 delivered on 28th Day of February, 2022 being a judgement in rem, and having precedence over any subsequent contrary judgement.

“The applicants hereto, Engr David Umahi and Dr Kelechi Igwe shall accordingly remain and not removed from office As Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.”

Justice Njoku also called on all parties to obey the court orders and refrain from abusing judicial process.