Imo: Tension as police bans protests over Supreme Court judgement review

The Police command in Imo State on Monday, February 17, has banned the protests and rallies over the planned review of the January 14 Supreme Court judgement on Tuesday

Recall that, the Supreme Court on January 14 had sacked the victory of Emeka Ihedioha and has declared Senator Hope Uzodinma validly elected Governor of Imo State.

In the judgement delivered by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun that the appeal filed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume was dismissed on the ground that the appellant is not prove the allegation that there result.

Declared that virtue to Hope Uzodima were wrongly excluded shall be added to the result therefore Governor Emeka Ihedioha is not validly elected.

Therefore, Hope Uzodinma is the rightful elected governor and certificate of return be given to him.

Also, Emeka Ihedioha had on Wednesday, February 5, returned to the Supreme Court, asked the court to sack Hope Uzodinma as governor.

The leading counsel to Ihedioha, Ndukwe Nnawuchi, SAN, told newsmen in Abuja said that Ihedioha and the PDP filed an application before the apex court, asking it to set aside the January 14 judgment “on grounds of nullity”.

He said, “The election of March 9, 2019, was challenged in the election tribunal where the judgment was delivered in Ihedioha’s favour.

This judgement has been disagreed by Ihedioha and his members of the PDP, and since then commenced protests calling for the review of the judgement which has been fixed for February 18, 2020.

However, the police have warning, announced by the State Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwu in Owerri, that a ban has been placed on protests and rallies in the state.

Their reason was that hoodlums have concluded plans to use such protests to unleash mayhem on Imo people and their properties.

Just as the people of Imo state await the review of the judgement, the police have issued a statement saying: “It has come to the notice of the Imo State Police Command that some hoodlums are planning to hide under the protests/rallies as witnessed in the last few weeks to cause mayhem in the state.

“In view of the above, therefore, the command wish to inform the general public that all protests/rallies of any kind are hereby banned forthwith especially as affects the Supreme Court ruling of 14th January 2020.

“Also, it is important to note that since the Supreme Court has acknowledged an application for the review of the judgment and as such fixed a date for the review, thus rendering the matter subjudice. It is therefore pertinent that both parties should remain calm pending the outcome of the review.

“Furthermore, the command wishes to commend all the groups for the peaceful manner they conducted their protests in the past few weeks, but wish to advise all the groups to stop any further protests/rallies, either in support or against the said Supreme Court judgment. This is to ensure that such protest is not hijacked and used to cause chaos, anarchy or breach of the Public Peace.

“To this end members of the public are advised to go about their lawful business as the command is still in the business of protecting the lives and properties of all and sundry. The Imo State, command’s loyalty and resolve to ensure a peaceful Imo State remains total please.”

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Uche Emmanuel

Uche Emmanuel is a seasoned editor and reporter. He graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. He studied Psychology. A blogger for the past 5 years.

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