NBA through its president, Olumide Akpata, had said Umahi’s comment was impunity of the highest order and executive rascality taken too far.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, has apologized to the judge that ordered his sack for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata.
On Tuesday, Justice Ekwo ordered Umahi and his deputy Eric Igwe to vacate office and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to receive the names of candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to replace the duo.
The judge also sacked 17 members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly for following the governor to the APC.
Umahi had shortly after the judgment, described it as a jungle justice, noting that the Court lacks the powers to remove him as Governor as he was covered by immunity clause which protects him from any form of litigation that is not pre-election and tribunal matters.
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But the NBA immediately issued a statement, demanding that Umahi apologizes and retract his statement against the person and judgment of the Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
According to the NBA, Umahi uttered very uncomplimentary adjectives by describing the judgment as “jungle justice” and His Lordship as “a hatchet man.”
But 48 hours after Umahi made the allegation against the judge and the judgment, the NBA president said Umahi has communicated his apology to him on Wednesday, adding that the Governor’s apology would be transmitted to Justice Inyang Ekwo – who ordered Umahi’s sack – and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammad Tanko Ibrahim.
