Court quashes suit seeking to stop Ihedioha’s inauguration

Police uncover plot to disrupt Abiodun’s swearing-in

A federal High Court sitting in Owerri yesterday struck out a suit seeking to stop the inauguration of Imo State governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha, on Wednesday, May 29.Delivering the judgement, the lead justice, Tijjani Ringim, said the plaintiff and governorship candidate of the Democratic Alternative (DA) at the March 9 election, Clifford Eze, had no legal right to approach a regular court for a post-election matter with the suit.

Striking the matter out, the jurist said that neither he nor the court had the jurisdiction to entertain the suit since it is a post-election matter. He consequently awarded a N5 million cost against the plaintiff for “abuse of the court”.

The governor-elect told our correspondent shortly after the judgement was delivered that it was victory for Imo people. Ihedioha’s media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, said that his principal was ready to work with everybody, including the plaintiffs and members of the opposition parties, to move the state forward from May 29.

In a related development, Ogun State police commanded has hinted that “some unscrupulous elements” were plotting to disrupt the inauguration of Dapo Abiodun on May 29, adding that it had placed officers on alert to contain any eventuality.

A statement by the Police public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, in Abeokuta yesterday indicated that rallies, processions and assemblies in public places were being orchestrated by enemies of peace, seemingly to resolve chieftaincy and land-related matters rather than approach the court to seek justice.

“All of these are aimed at heating up the state before the inauguration. In view of this, the command has put in place a robust security arrangement aimed at checkmating such trouble-makers and other criminally-minded persons, including miscreants and disgruntled elements.”According to Oyeyemi, the Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, has ordered 24-hour surveillance patrol throughout the state.

The statement advised members of the public, who intend to hold public assemblies and rallies, to contact the police boss “for necessary approval and security” in their own interest.“The command will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody or group who attempts to disrupt the peace of the state, no matter how highly-placed, as the law is no respecter of anybody.“The police in Ogun State is committed to the defence of the rule of law, safety and security for all law-abiding citizens,” the statement added.