We Have Not Sacked Stella Oduah, Andy Ubah – Supreme Court

Following the controversy generated by the January 29 judgement of the Supreme Court regarding the leadership dispute in the Anambra chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the court dismissed reports that it sacked Senators Andy Uba and Stella Oduah.

The apex court explained yesterday, February 24, that judgment did not resolve the question relating to the legitimacy or otherwise of the list of candidates submitted for the National Assembly election by the factions of the PDP in Anambra State, because the issue was not before it.

According to the court, this means it ruled that Uba and Oduah, and other PDP lawmakers in the state are to retain their seats.

The court simplified the judgement following a motion by INEC, asking the it to clarify its position in the judgment.

It said although it upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, to the effect that the Ejike Oguebego-led Executive Committee of the Anambra PDP was the authentic body to run the party’s affairs, it did not say the Oguebego Exco could assume the responsibilities of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Reading the lead ruling of five-man bench, Justice John Okoro said the Supreme Court neither ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the list of candidates for the National Assembly from the Oguebego-led Exco nor did it direct INEC to conduct fresh elections into the National Assembly in the state.

“It is untrue that parties do not understand the import of our judgment. Where in the judgment did we state that the Oguebego-led committee should take over the functions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP so that it can submit list to INEC? I think counsel are not fair to this court when they say they do not understand the judgment of this court, which was written in simple English language.

“May I admonish counsel, both senior and junior, that in the course of their job, they have a duty to this court. As much as they owe a duty to their clients, they also owe a duty to the public not to mislead them. On the whole, I hold the view that this court lacked the jurisdiction to hear this motion that was filed on the February 8, 2016. It is hereby struck out,” Justice Okoro said in his lead ruling.

Other members of the panel, including Justices Sylvester Ngwuta, Mary Peter-Odili, Datijo Muhammad, and Kumai Akaa’hs agreed with Justice Okoro’s reasoning.