Tension as Appeal Court hears case against Anambra Local Government Transition Committees Thursday

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Court Of Appeal, Enugu will today Thursday, April 6, 2017 finally hear the appeal filed by an Onitsha - based Human Rights Lawyer and President -Voters Rights International, Mr. Jezie Ekejiuba against the use of appointed Transition Committees or Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of the 21 Local Government Areas of Anambra State.

In the pending Appeal No CA/E/437/2012 against the Governor of Anambra State, Anambra State House of  Assembly and the Attorney- General of Anambra State as Defendants/Respondents, the Court was asked to determine whether the appointment or setting up of Local Government Transition Committees or Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of the 21 Local Government Areas of Anambra State by the Defendants/ Respondents is constitutional having regard to the provisions of Sections 1(2) and 7(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

The Appellant consequently prayed the Court for an Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the Governor of Anambra State or any of the Defendants/Respondents from appointing, setting up, dealing with or recognizing and continuing to appoint, set up, deal with, or recognize  Local Government Transition Committees or Caretaker  Committees or whatever name so- called as the system of Local Government in any or all the 21 Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Reliable sources at the Court of Appeal, Enugu indicate that hearing notices have been served on all the parties in the Appeal. 

It will be recalled that while the Appeal is still pending, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano on 28th January, 2016 appointed and transmuted all the members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) whose tenure as elected  Chairmen and Councilors of the 21 Local Government of Anambra State ended on 27th  January, 2016 as Chairmen and members of Transition Committees to run the affairs of the 21 L.G.As of the State. Last Tuesday, March 28th, 2017, the Governor appointed again another set of Transition Committee Chairmen and Councilors and the appointment was approved by the State House of Assembly the same day and subsequently they were sworn in by the Governor the same day at Governor’s Lodge Amawbia .


By Media Office, Voters Rights International
Onitsha, Anambra State