Court strikes out Governor Umahi’s stay of execution

Applications by Governor Dave Umahi, his deputy Kelechi Igwe and the 16 lawmakers seeking a stay of execution of their sack has been struck out by a federal high court sitting in Abuja

Recall that on March 8, the court removed the officials over their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The parties on March 11 applied for a stay of execution at the high court and a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The applications were struck out by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday March 21, after the applicants withdrew the applications.

Speaking in court, Counsel to Umahi, Chukwuma Machukwu Ume (SAN) said the application for stay of execution was no longer necessary as the records had already been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.

Counsel to the PDP,  Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) did not oppose the application but asked the court to dismiss the applications instead.

Ekwo said;

“Upon being informed that records of appeal have been transmitted, and application to withdraw of stay of execution, the application is hereby struck out”