There was jubilation in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital following a High Court ruling that the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku remains the speaker pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.

This followed dismissal of the application brought by Mrs. Helen Nwobashi and 17 members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku from parading himself as the speaker of the House.

In her ruling, the vacation judge, Justice Chinyere Ken-Eze maintained that the status quo before the purported impeachment of the first defendant on July 21, 2014 be maintained pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The application by Mrs Helen Nwobashi was the second suit in the legal battle to determine the legitimate Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly following the controversy that trailed the July 21 impeachment in the House.

Justice Eze noted that the injunction was granted to prevent damage and argued that injury that could be suffered by the applicant for the refusal to grant application could be compensated in monetary terms.

The judge, however faulted the action of the first defendant for continuing its activities by ignoring the notice of application pending in court.

In an interview, the counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Philip Udeora, who stood in for Chief Tagbo Ike said he would appeal the matter if his client was not satisfied with the ruling.



The counsel to the first defendant, Chief Mudi Irenede commended the judge for her ruling which he said was in the ambit of the law.



The matter was adjourned till September 24 for hearing of the substantive suit. ENDS


http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=79881