Ohaji/Egbema/Oru West Fed Constituency; Not Yet Uhuru For Dibiagwu, As Okafor Insists On Candidature

The suit filed by Ms. Ngozi RBK Okafor challenging the candidature of Mr. Eugene Dibiagwu for Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru West Federal Constituency came up for hearing yesterday at Federal High Court, Imo State.

At sitting of yesterday, February 14, 2023 counsel to Mr. Dibiagwu, Dem Nwigwe Esq. pleaded with the court to give him another date to submit all necessary documents in relation to the matter as demanded by the court.

In his response, counsel to Ms. Okafor, Barr. Ogujiofot frowned at the delay tactics deployed by the defence counsel. He reminded the court that on three adjourned dates, the defence counsel had failed to produce documents as demanded by the court. He asked the court to continue the hearing as the defence was not serious to go on with the matter.

The Judge who was visibly not happy with conduct of the defence counsel warned him not to test the patience of the court. The Judge addressing Barr. Nwigwe said, “from my records, you have failed on three adjourned dates to provide evidences to defend your case. Do you know your client would face a criminal offence if found guilty? I will give you another date. This honourable court will go ahead with the matter whether you submit or didn’t submit the required documents on the next adjourned date”

The presiding judge asked the defence counsel what time he will be ready to submit those documents on the next adjourned date. The defence counsel agreed to be in court by 10:30am today to submit those documents which was not opposed by counsel to Ms. Okafor.

The matter was adjourned to today Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Recall that Ms. Ngozi RBK Okafor had gone to court challenging the candidature of Mr. Eugene Dibiagwu. Ms. Ngozi RBK Okafor in her prayers before the court stated that only herself and Mr. Henry Okafor purchased intent and nomination forms within the time frame. That, Mr. Henry Okafor who duly purchased APC Intent and Nomination Forms within the stipulated time as published by National Secretariat of APC and copied to INEC as its programme of activities in fulfillment of provisions of the Electoral Act as amended is now an appointee of Senator Hope Uzodinma, Executive Governor of Imo State did not participate in the rescheduled rerun primary election for Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru West Federal Constituency as ordered by the court. That Mr. Dibiagwu who is parading himself as candidate of the party is not qualified to participate in the primaries as he did not purchase intent and nomination forms of the party for the election within the time frame according to valid records from APC National Secretariat. She prayed the court to declare her as the duly nominated candidate of APC for the position.

The court on three occassions has demanded from Mr. Eugene Dibiagwu and his counsel to submit evidence of payment (Bank Draft) which he used to purchase his intent and nomination forms. On those three adjourned dates, Mr. Dibiagwu had failed to provide any evidence of purchase of his nomination form as demanded by the court.