The Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe, has said she is not on the run contrary to the impression created in a section of the media.
The news had filtered out that Uzokwe had gone into hiding last week in order to avoid swearing-in Samson Uchechukwu Ogah as the Governor of Abia State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had last week issued Ogah a Certificate of Return as governor of Abia State based on a court order.
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Monday last week declared Ogah the validly elected governor of Abia State.
Abang said the incumbent, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, should immediately hand over to Ogah.
Ogah was then issued a Certificate of Return by INEC.
However, Ogah’s loyalists claimed that by the time the INEC-recognised governor arrived in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Thursday, Uzokwe had disappeared.
Uzokwe, however, said in a statement on Sunday that she did not go into hiding in a bid to avoid swearing-in Ogah.
She said she was at her duty post on Thursday and sat over some cases.
The statement, signed by the Acting Chief Registrar of the Abia State Judiciary, Vicky Analaba, reads in full: “The attention of the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe, has been drawn to various spurious and mischievous reports alleging that the Honorable Chief Judge had absconded from her duty post on Thursday 30th June 2016, to avoid swearing in Uche Ogah as Governor of Abia State.
“Contrary to the allegations of cowardice by mischievous politicians, the Chief Judge, was in her office throughout work time on Thursday 30 June 2016 from 8:30am till 4:30pm.
“For the avoidance of doubt, on Thursday 30th June 2016, the Chief Judge was in her court room performing her lawful duties, including the delivery of four rulings on that date.
“The particulars of the ruling in question are: HU/35CM/2015 FRANCIS AKOR vs THE STATE; HU/ICM/2016-JOHNSON ASIEGBU vs. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, HU/42CM/2016-ONYEKACHI SAMUEL vs. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE; HU/34CM/2016-LUCKY SAMPSON vs. THE STATE.
“These facts are verifiable and in the records of the court. The various lawyers who appeared in the respective suits listed above are also living witnesses.
“This press release has become necessary in order to avoid further mischief and to set the records straight.”
