By Ikeugonna Eleke
A High Court sitting in Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, and presided over by Hon. Justice Tagbo Anieto, has restored the National Executive Committee of Ogwuari Nsugbe Community in the same local government area.
The court, in Suit No. OT/332/2023, on Friday, March 1, returned the leadership of the community, led by Mr Tagbo Obi-Ezeazu, as the authentic National Chairman of Ogwuari Nsugbe Community.
The community, just like many others in Anambra, has been enmeshed in leadership crisis, with a fresh election held to elect a new crop of leaders, even before the end of the tenure of Obi-Ezeazu and his executive.
But justice Anieto, in his judgement, held that the tenure of the Obi-Ezeazu-led executive in the community was still running and would run till 19th August, 2025, when their tenure would expire.
Barr Emeka MacRAY Mokwe, legal adviser of Ogwuari Nsugbe Community, acting on behalf of Obi-Ezeazu, had on 2nd December 2023 sought an interpretation of Ogwuari Constitution over the conduct of a fresh election, while the tenure of the current executive committee led by Obi-Ezeazu was still running.
The Court in its judgement held that there was no valid election held, hence the election allegedly conducted on the 16th day of December, 2023, whilst this suit was pending, was illegal, ineffective and without any basis.
‘Comrade Tagbo Obi-Ezeazu will continue in office with the members of his executive committee of Ogwuari Nsugbe until their tenure expires on the 19th August, 2025.
‘Any other executive committee of Ogwuari Nsugbe apart from the one led by Comrade Tagbo Obi-Ezeazu remains illegal and ineffective with the foundation of fraud and mischievousness,’ the judgement read.
