Governor Ikpeazu

Dr. Alex Oti, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA on Tuesday applied to the court to join the appeal filed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State removing him from office.

Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju, leading a panel of five Appeal Court justices had earlier informed the court that there are eight appeals against against the judgment of Justice Okon Abang in which Governor Ikpeazu was ordered to vacate office for presenting false tax information in the nomination form he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to contest the 2015 polls as the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The Judge had ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Chief Uche Ogah who came second in the PDP primaries held in December, 2014 to select a governorship candidate for the party.

At the commencement of hearing of the appeal filed by Ikpeazu against the judgment on Tuesday, Patrick Ikweator, lawyer to Dr Otti informed the court that the APGA candidate has filed an application to join the appeal as an interested party.

He said the application was filed on 15 July.

Chief Wole Olanipekun, the lead counsel to Governor Ikpeazu and Alex Iziyon, lead counsel to Uche Ogah tried to oppose the application, but were stopped by the court.

Justice Ogunwumiju therefore ruled that the court will hear the application on Thursday, 4 August.