The rift between the Imo State Government and former Chairman of Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, Barr. Amaechi Nwoha may delay the conduct of the local Government election in July.
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The National Industrial Court sitting in Owerri has given a two week ultimatum to the State Government to settle out of court with Mr. Nwoha.
Nwoha is a former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly. He had dragged the State Government to Court for sacking him as Chairman of ISIEC without following due process and without paying him his entitlements.
In the matter with suit number NICN/OW/15/2018, Hon Justice O.O Arowosegbe, Nwoha in his reliefs said he was wrongfully dismissed from office and he remains Chairman of the electoral body until his entitlements for four years are paid.
He kicked against the appointment of Mr. Ethel Ibeawuchi, asking the court for a declaration that the laid down rules and therefore any action taken by him (Ibeabuchi) as Chairman of the Commission is illegal, null and void.
Counsel to the Imo State Government at the resumed hearing, C.Ibe Esq, Acting Solicitor, Ministry of Justice, Imo State Government applied for settlement out of court to enable both parties settle amicably.
The lead cousel to the claimant , Bar .Ken Njemanze SAN, who objected to the said application for out of court settlement said the matter was for hearing and that all parties in the matter have been duly served and application for out of court settlement is a strange word and should be a delayed tactics.
In his response, the presiding Judge, Justice O.O Arowesegbe stated that progress has been made in the matter warning that application for out of court should not be a delay tactics.
He granted the State Government and others two weeks to settle out of court