Court shifts ruling on Gov Ayade’s defection to April 7

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, has again shifted judgment on a suit by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state and his deputy Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu to April 7.

PDP wants the court to sack Governor Ayade and his deputy from office, having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress(APC).

The opposition party, maintained that Senator Ayade and his deputy, presently members of the APC, did not win the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in Cross River State.

At the last proceeding, the court adjourned to Wednesday (yesterday), for judgment on the case.

However, when the matter was called up, yesterday, Justice Taiwo announced that lead counsel in the matter should address the court on the implication of the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, in respect of the defection of Governor David Umahi and his deputy from the PDP to APC.

Responding, Counsel to PDP, Emmanuel Ukala SAN, insisted that the subject matter, issues raised for determination, interpretation of certain provisions of the Constitution in the cases of Umahi and Ayade were completely different.

Ukala said the prayers of Umahi at the Abakiliki High Court were different from what the PDP are seeking at the Federal High Court Abuja.

On his part, counsel to APC, Mike Ozekhome SAN, told the court that the case decided at the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division is same with the instant case at the Federal High Court Abuja.

Ozekhome pointed out that reliefs 12 and 13 in Ayade’s case are same with reliefs 2 of Umahi’s case in Enugu.

“The entire case boils down to defection and the issue is whether a Governor and his deputy after being sworn in can be removed from office,’’

Ozekhome posited that considering the principle of stare decisis, the trial court is bound by law to follow the precedence set by the appellate court in Enugu.

The constitutional lawyer stated, that though defection according to the court of appeal is improper, immoral “but it is not illegal”.

Ozekhome also cited the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Atiku and Obasanjo when the former Vice President defected from the PDP to Action Congress of Nigeria, which went in favour of Atiku.

He maintained that a governor or deputy who defected cannot be removed from office by the court except the House of Assembly.

After listening to their submissions, Justice Taiwo adjourned to reconvene April 7(Today) for judgment.