Nigerian Bar Association, NBA has lambasted the governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi over a statement he made against Justice Inyang Ekwo.
His comment came after the judge sacked him from office.
Following the sack, Umahi had on Tuesday, described his removal from office by Justice Inyang Ekwo as “a hatchet” man’s job.
The NBA in reaction to the statement, described Umahi’s comment as a national embarrassment.
In the statement signed by the NBA president, Olumide Akpata on Wednesday, he stated that Umahi’s reaction to the court judgment by Ekwo was “totally unacceptable.”
We had earlier reported that Ekwo had on Tuesday delivered judgment in a case filed against Umahi, his deputy, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the All Progressive Congress, by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP in December 2020, filed a suit, contending Umahi’s defection from its party to (APC) having won the 2015 and 2019 elections under its platform.
According to the party, the Umahi’s defection was illegal and unconstitutional.
The judge had agreed with the plaintiff and ordered Umahi to vacate office, which led to a swift response from the governor.
Umahi had vowed to report him to the National Judicial Council.
Part of his claims are that Ekwo had about 10 cases against Ebonyi in his file, but he did not explain to the general public that cases are assigned to judges solely by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
Akpata said Umahi could have appealed the judgment and not speak harshly about a sitting judge.
He strongly advised Umahi to publicly apologize to Nigerians urgently so as to save his image.
