Supreme Court Affirms Okorocha's Election As Governor



ABUJA, March 02, (THEWILL) - The Supreme Court Friday morning upheld the election of Owelle Rochas Okorocha as Governor of Imo State.

Okorocha is of All progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The apex court declared as a nullity the judgment of the appeal court, which was the basis of the appeal at the Supreme Court.

In its place, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the Imo State Governorship Election Tribunal, which had declared Okorocha winner of the election.

Justice Sylvester Ngwuta who delivered the lead judgment cited Section 285 (7) of the constitution, which required that judgment must be delivered within 60 days.

He noted that the Court of Appeal even though delivered its judgment within 60 days, but gave the reason for the judgment outside the 60 days. According to him the judgment therefore is a nullity as it was delivered on January 06, 2012, but an explanation for the ruling was delivered on January 24, 2012.

Following the infringement, the Supreme Court consequently struck out the Appeal Court's judgment and reinstated the judgment of the Imo state Governorship Election Tribunal.

The Peoples Democratic Candidate (PDP) and former Governor of the State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim had challenged the victory of Okorocha after the election.