Tension and desperation seems to have enveloped the Abia State Government
House as the Supreme Court is set to rule on the case of submission of
false information and fake tax document brought against Governor Okezie
Ikpeazu by Sir Friday Nwosu on April 13, 2018.
To this end, former Military Vice President, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Osun
Sate Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Ogun state counterpart,
Senator Ibikunle Amosu, have allegedly been enlisted by Governor Ikpeazu
to intensified efforts to compromise the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice
Walter Onnoghen and other Justices of the Supreme Court to save his job
and political career, Pointblanknews.com can reveal.
The Supreme Court through a panel headed by Justice Olabode Rhodes -Vivour
had fixed April 13 2018 to deliver judgment on the 2015 pre election
matter.
Pointblanknews.com learnt that Ikpeazu had engaged the retired naval
officer who hails from Abiriba in Abia State, Amosu and Aregbesola to
approach and negotiate with some Justices of the Supreme Court, one by
one.
Last Friday night, Ukiwe and the two APC governors were engaged in a
nocturnal meeting at the Abia State Government House, Umuahia, till the
early hours of Saturday morning, seeking how to help the governor get a
favourable verdict from the apex court.
Amosu and Aregbesola had earlier arrived Umuahia under the pretext of
attending the funeral ceremony of the mother of an APC chieftain in Abia
State.
On Saturday evening, Ukiwe, Ikpeazu and the two APC governors were still
engaged in the meeting when news reports filtered into the online media
about the ongoing meeting. Embarrassed by the development, they drove out
of the Government House and could not take their foods and drinks.
On Sunday, the former military vice president appeared to have reduced
himself to an errand boy for Ikpeazu. Sources told Pointblanknews.com that
as early as 8am Sunday; Ukiwe was at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri to
receive the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Raji Fashola who was on
his way to Umuahia for an official assignment.
When Fashola arrived Umuahia, he met with his friends, Aregbesola and
Amosu, but declined accommodation reserved for him at the presidential
wing of the Abia Government House and avoided the nocturnal meeting of his
kinsmen, Ukiwe and Ikpeazu.
The minister rather booked accommodation at the Hotel Royal Damgrete,
Umuahia, from where he inspected some ongoing federal government projects
in the state.
Desperate to save his seat, Ikpeazu had opened Abia’s treasury, doling out
money and properties to anyone or group who claims to have access to
Justice Onnoghen and other Justices of the apex court.
The governor had engaged the Director General of the Department of State
Security (DSS), Lawal Daura and the Attorney General and Minister for
Justice, Abubakar Malami, to intimidate the CJN to award judgment to
Ikpeazu, but this appears not to be bearing fruit as Justice Onnoghen has
refused to play ball. Lawal allegedly got an imposing mansion at Asokoro,
Abuja, from the Abia governor.
Ikpeazu’s legal consultant, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had made several
moves to compromise the CJN and other justices of the Supreme Court with a
massive financial war chest from Ikpeazu, all to no avail.
The CJN has reportedly refused to see anybody concerning the Abia state
governorship case, insisting on serving justice; a development which is
said to be giving Ikpeazu sleepless nights.
However, close aides of the embattled Governor have been jubilating and
boasting around Umuahia that since the CJN have become very stubborn, they
have succeeded in reaching the panel and have been assured of victory.
When contacted, Commodore Ukiwe did not respond to calls or text messages
sent to his phone.
But Spokesman to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr. Semiu Okanlanwon, told
Pointblanknews.com that the Governor would never be part of any deal or
meeting to subvert the course of justice.
“I can assure you that Governor Aregbesola would not be part of any
meeting or gathering that seeks to subvert justice,” Okanlanwon told
Pointblanknews.com