Imo Guber: Supreme Court fixes October 31 to hear Okorocha’s appeal

Imo State Gov. Rochas Okorocha

 The Supreme Court yesterday set aside October 31,2013 for definite hearing in the appeal brought by the Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha challenging the decision of the Owerri division of the court joining the former Governor Ikedi Ohakim in the appeal brought by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.

According to sunnews report, Ararume is challenging the May 6, 2011 supplementary elections that brought Okorocha to power.

Justice Tanko Muhammad who presided over the appeal consolidated all the appeals brought by various parties in the suit arising from rulings
from the Court of Appeal and granted the prayers of counsel in the suit for an enlargement of time within which they are to file their briefs of arguments.

According to Justice Muhammad “we intend to take all the motions we have apart from the motion for consolidation but if there are no objections to the consolidation of the appeals we will go ahead and consolidate them for ease of hearing.

With the consent of counsel in the suit, Wole Olanikpekun, SAN for Ohakim, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Joe Aji, SAN for Ararume, Niyi Akintola,SAN for Okorocha, and Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN the court went ahead to consolidate all the appeals, following an application by Ikpeazu for the court to consolidate appeals with number SC 485, 486, 487 and 488 of 2012 into one.

According to Ikpeazu “ our motion are two to consolidate these appeals SC 445/2012 with three other appeals SC 485,486,487and 488 2012 and Sc on the grounds that all the appeals arose from the same ruling of the Court of Appeal

In his ruling on the application Justice Muhammad said, “Order granted as prayed. The appeals are hereby consolidated for the purposes of hearing as there are no objections.” culled from the sunnewsonline