COURT ORDERS FG TO STOP MONTHLY ALLOCATION TO EBONYI STATE

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki has ordered the Federal Government and the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to henceforth stop releasing monthly allocation to Local Government in Ebonyi State until its earlier judgment nullifying Council Election in the state is obeyed.

Justice Fatun Rilman gave the order following an application by some members of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), who had in August obtained a jugdment from the court voiding the election.

The Court held that Ebonyi State Government disobeyed its judgment and went ahead to swear in the 13 newly elected Local Government Chairmen and 171 Councilors.

The Court insisted that due process was not followed in the conduct of the local government election as it remained null and void while the tenure of the immediate past Chairmen was cut short as they vacated office earlier than they did.

Reacting, Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Mudi Erenede, said the jugdment was to ensure that local government in the state was administered in line with section 7 of the 1999 Constitution.

However, Counsel to the Local Government Chairmen, Mr. Roy Umahi, said the judgment would be appealed immediately.

Joined in the suit were the Attorney General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU