Some members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ebonyi South
Senatorial zone have sued Senator Sonni Ogbuoji for defecting to the
All Progressives Congress, APC and urged court to declare the
senatorial seat at the National Assembly vacant.
In the Suit No FHC/AI/CS/44/2018, Evoh Ogbonnaya and four others who
sued for themselves and all members of the PDP in Ebonyi South
Senatorial zone sought the order of court to recall Senator Ogbuoji
for leaving PDP, on which platform he was elected a senator in 2015.
They also sought the court interpretation on whether, Senator Ogbuoji
should remain on seat after defecting from his former party whereas
there is no crisis in his former party and prayed the court to grant
an order declaring the defendant’s seat vacant.
The plaintiffs also sought the court interpretation on whether Senator
Ogbuoji should not vacate his seat or deemed to have vacated his seat
to make him liable to refund to the National Assembly all moneys paid
him by the virtue of his position as a senator.
Other reliefs sought by the members of the party included the
declaration of the court that the seat of Ebonyi South senatorial zone
should be vacant or be vacated by senator Ogbuoji for defecting from
his former party to APC in the absence of crisis and factions as well
refund all the money he received.
They also prayed the court to compel the Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC to withdraw the certificate of return
earlier issued to Senator Ogbuoji on the ground that he (Ogbuoji) lost
his position the day he defected to All Progressives Congress, APC.
The counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. George Okorie was optimistic that
with clear evidence backed with necessary documents, his clients would
get justice. Ends
