By Chukwuemeka Ezeche
On 27 June 2016, the Federal High Court, Abuja ruled on a two year old case instituted by Mr Uche Ogah in 2014 which was based on the fact that Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu never qualified to run in the 2014 gubernatorial primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) because he (Ikpeazu) failed to pay his taxes as required by law.
In his judgment, Okon Abang ordered the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately issue a certificate of return to Mr. Uche Oga as Governor-elect, a directive which INEC has complied with.
While the landmark judgment and victory of Uche Ogah is based on unassailable facts, the Ikpeazu camp have embarked on an orchestrated campaign of misinformation and outright lies.
The clear objective of the Ikpeazu campaign is to deceive Abia people and the Nigerian populace, curry unmerited public goodwill by posing as a “victim” and sabotage the just, balanced and valid judgment of an appropriate court.
The Ikpeazu camp has also procured a tainted court order for stay of execution which has rightly been condemned by respected luminaries such as Olisa Agbakoba SAN for being a travesty of the law and justice.
This intervention is aimed at setting the records straight and to explain in very clear terms – based on the history and facts of the court case – why the victory of Uche Oga is valid and not a hurriedly executed legal ambush for the acquisition of political power as being insinuated by some persons.
OGAH’S VICTORY IS A TWO YEAR-OLD PRE-ELECTION CASE, NOT AN AMBUSH
The Ogah victory is not a recent one. It was instituted two years ago. Uche Oga had filed the case at the Federal High Court against Ikpeazu in 2014 questioning Ikpeazu’s eligibility to participate in the PDP gubernatorial primaries on the basis that he failed to pay his taxes as required by law.
Knowing that the facts were not in his favor, the Ikpeazu team tried to frustrate the case through frivolous legal antics. For example, they tried to ensure that the case was not tried in Abuja for obvious reasons. They queried the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the case. This process went to the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court eventually ruled that the Federal High Court had the jurisdiction to treat the matter.
When this antic failed, the Ikpeazu team questioned the integrity of the Federal High Court judge assigned to the case, Justice Ademola whom they alleged was compromised and biased against them. The Judge was eventually changed and replaced with Justice Okon Abang at their instance. It is this same Judge that eventually delivered the judgment against Ikpeazu.
Ogah’s victory is clear proof that Ikpeazu is guilty of tax evasion – a serious crime against the state – which disqualified him from contesting for the office of Governor. It is a victory that all lovers of democracy should celebrate. A man who does not pay his taxes does not have the moral or legal right to manage the proceeds of tax paid by law abiding citizens for the collective good of the state as Governor. Ikpeazu’s guilt raises a fundamental issue of his personal integrity which the law has finally dealt with.
It is therefore clear that contrary to the impression being given by the Ikpeazu camp, this case is far from an ambush. It is strongly anchored on facts and the refusal of Ikpeazu to respond to the core issues and his resort to propaganda speaks volumes.
If Ikpeazu is convinced about the rightness of his cause, he should do what Peter Obi did: vacate the seat, plead his case in a court of law and when granted victory come back rather than the resort to propaganda.
WHO IS UCHE OGAH?
Uche Ogah as those who know him can attest is a quiet man. But anyone familiar with his exploits in business and industry will confirm his accomplishments are loud. He is one of the highest achieving entrepreneurs and industrialist of his generation. He is currently the President of Master Energy Group – a conglomerate with workforce of about 42, 000 with interests in oil & gas, banking, insurance, aviation, shipping, dredging, logistics, construction, travel services, and power.
Beyond his track record in business, his record in transformational philanthropy and his positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities all bear eloquent testimonies to his humanity.
He is passionate about Abia and wants to bring real change to the state. Uche Ogah is a fully accomplished and financially comfortable individual who is not in the race for the money. Rather he sees involvement in politics as an opportunity to have more solid and sustainable impact on Abia. In the coming days Abians will get a full flavor of his plans.
The law has spoken. Justice is on the side of Uche Ogah. His record is clear. His passion for Abia cannot be hidden. For the sake of Abians, Abia youths and the generations unborn, Abians should support this worthy, humble achiever.
Chukwuemeka Ezeche is a member of the ABIA United for Excellence Forum.
