‘I remain governor’
By Vivian Okejeme
Abuja
Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has set aside the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state over tax evasion and ordered him to vacate office with immediate effect.
The judge also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Samson Ogah, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who contested the governorship ticket with the governor and emerged second during the party’s primaries.
Okon held that Ikpeazu was guilty of tax evasion and was, therefore, not qualified to have contested the 2015 governorship election in the state.
The court thereby ordered Governor Ikpeazu to vacate office immediately, and hand over to Ogah.
Ikpeazu was accused of failing to pay personal income tax promptly as and when due for 2010 and 2011, in line with Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution which states that, “it shall be the duty of every citizen to declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.”
In suit no. FHC/ABJ/ CS/1086/2014, dated December 22, 2014, and instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, two individuals, Obasi Eke and Chukwuemeka Mba, had asked the PDP and INEC to disqualify Ikpeazu from contesting the governorship election.
Reacting to the verdict, Governor Ikpeazu called on Abians not to panic, but remain calm, saying he had faith in the judiciary and rule of law.
Ikpeazu added that he would appeal the ruling as he had instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgement.
The governor noted as an appointee of the Abia state government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), and first Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs, before his resignation in October 2014 to contest the governorship election in the state, his taxes were deducted at source within the period.
The governor also claimed that when there was need for his tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question.
He maintained that he remains the governor of the state, according to law and would await the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts.
