Imo West: PDP candidate vows to appeal judgement on Okorocha’s Certificate of Return

The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in Imo West, Jones Onyeriri, has accused Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of bias in the judgement in which he ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Rochas Okorocha certificate of return.

A press release in Owerri yesterday by Eze Ugochukwu, the Director General of Jones Onyeriri Campaign Organisation, said the PDP senatorial candidate would appeal the judgment.

He accused Justice Abang of intimidating and harassing defence lawyers while allowing the plaintiff to have a field day in court.

The statement reads in part, “We are not surprised by the decision of the Abuja High Court 7, presided over by Justice Okon Abang.

“Right from the commencement of the ex-parte application by Owelle Rochas Okorocha against INEC, the inevitability of the judgement was obvious.

“The handling of the case from the start, left much to be desired, as issues of obvious bias were not hidden, including suspension and abridgement of rules of court, overt intimidation of defence lawyers, and harassment of same; whereas the plaintiff lawyer was allowed a field day in court.

“The reality is that the decision came from a court of first instance.

“Therefore, the decision stands to be tested at the appellate courts while the trial at the tribunal goes on.”