Court stops Governor Okorocha again

An Owerri High Court on Tuesday restrained Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state from dissolving the 27 local government councils pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Ngozi Opara granted the interim injunction sought by the council chairmen, who were recently re-instated by the Court of Appeal.

The suit was filed by the Chairman and Secretary of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Mrs Ruby Emele and Mr Enyinaya Onuegbu respectively on behalf of the others.

The council chairmen, who were elected on the platform of PDP had insisted on three-year tenure for the councils, while APGA insisted on a two-year tenure.

The Chairman of APGA in the state, Mr Marshal Okoforanyanwu, said the amended Imo Local Government Law 15 of 2010, stipulated two years tenure for the councils.

However, the court restrained the governor, his agents or servants, from dissolving the councils and declaring the offices of the chairmen and councillors vacant pending the determination of the suit.

It also restrained the governor from appointing any person by whatever name, to take over the offices of the claimants in view of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

In a reaction, the Imo Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Chinedu Offor, said that the state government would allow the judicial process to take its full course.

Offor, however, called on the people to remain law abiding and go about their normal businesses.