17th July, 2012
Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, on Tuesday in Abuja called on the Imo state Governor Rochas Okorocha, to immediately comply with the order of the Court of Appeal and return all of the state’s democratically elected Local Government Councils which the court held were illegally dissolved by the Governor before the expiration of their constitutionally guaranteed tenure.
In a release issued by the Minister, he frowned at the lingering controversy which has continued to trail the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Judicial Division in Appeal No. CA/OW/215/2011 between Barr Enyinna Onuegbu & 26 Ors versus Attorney General of Imo State & 3 Others dated 5th July 2012.
According to Adoke, “It is apposite to note that section 7 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, guarantees the existence of a system of democratically elected Local Government Councils throughout the federation. The judgment of the Court of Appeal aforementioned has only confirmed this position. I therefore call on all concerned to respect the judgment of the Court of Appeal and give due regard to the provisions of the Constitution which all elected officials of government have sworn to uphold. This will not only inspire confidence in the polity but will also deepen our fledgling democracy”.
The minister further stated that in the light of President Jonathan’s avowed commitment to the enthronement of the rule of law in the federation, that the Imo state Government and all relevant agencies of government must abide by the judgment of the Court of Appeal and ensure that the judgment of the Court of Appeal is given its full effect.