Court sentences Anambra LG boss to 3 months imprisonment An Anambra State High Court sitting in Ekwulobia has sentenced the Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Area, Chigozie Awugosi, to three months in prison for disobeying court orders. Justice Chudi Obiora, who ruled on a contempt of court application filed by counsel to Mr. Golden C Iloh, held on Monday that after reviewing the case of the appellant and the defence of counselto Awugosi, he had no doubt in his mind that the conduct of the respondent/appellant was contemptuous of theorders of the court.The Anambra State Local Government Tribunal had, on June 19, 2014, nullified the local government election held in January this year in Ihiala Local Government Area, which produced Awugosi as the chairman of the council and ordered the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission to conductfresh election based on the application brought by Iloh. Not satisfied with the judgment of the tribunal, Awugosi went on appeal but lost as the court upheldthe decision of the tribunal. Awugosi, however, remained in office against the directive of the court on alleged claim that he was appointed by the governor to oversee the council till further notice, an argument that prompted the contempt application by Iloh.Delivering his judgment, Justice Obiorah said it was clear that the convict had been in office after the orders of the courtwas made on June 19, 2014,implying that Awugosi had been helping himself to the public treasure. The result is that I find the appellant/respondent, Chigozie Awugosi guilty of contempt. I accordingly sentence him to three months imprisonment with hard labour. There shall be no option of fine, the judge stated.Justice Obiora noted that the court had inherent powersunder Section 6 (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution to make consequential orders as the justice of the case demanded.He said: Accordingly, I hereby further order the convict, Chigozie Awugosi to refund all the monies collected and/or received by him by way of salaries and allowances from the 19th June, 2014, till date to the coffers of the Anambra State Government.The judge also directed the Inspector General of Police, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police and all officers and men under their command to arrest Awugosifor him toserve the sentence imposed on him, since he was in court when the application was being heard but escaped midway. Reacting to the judgment, the lead counsel to Iloh, Chief Okey Muo-Aroh commended the courage of the judge saying: Justice Obiorah by his judgment has shown that the Nigerian courts cannot be toyed with and that judgment and orders of the courts must be obeyed by all. Our Reporter
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:01:09 +0000
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