Politics Supreme Court Sacks PDP Lawmaker, Orders Refund All Allowances

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ProfRem

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The Supreme Court has removed Sopuluchukwu Ezeonwuka of the Peoples Democratic Party from representing Orumba North/South, Anambra Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun gave the ruling in an appeal filed against Ezeonwuka’s election by a member of the party, Chief Ben-Nwankwo, in Abuja on Friday.

Nwankwo’s name was wrongly substituted with the first respondent (Ezeonwuka) after he had obtained the nomination of the party to contest the National Assembly election.

Dissatisfied with the Feb. 20, 2015 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja and the decision of the Court Appeal to uphold it, Nwankwo approached the apex court.

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The supreme court ordered INEC to issue Chief Nwankwo a certificate of return in respect of the National Assembly election held March 28, 2015, forthwith.

The judge also further said: “the first respondent (Ezeonwuka) is hereby ordered to vacate the seat of the Orumba North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the National Assembly forthwith’’.

“It is further ordered that Ezeonwuka shall refund to the National Assembly all monies collected by him by way of salaries and allowances since he took the seat within 90 days.

“And finally, a fine of N500, 000 is awarded in favour of the appellant against the first respondent,” the judge held.
 
The judgement is fairly okay because it considered the public interest ie the refund of all salaries and allowances by Ezeonwuka to the public coffers.

However, the lawmakers salaries and allowances are shrouded in secret and may be, the court will be able to also fairly ascertain what has been taken in deceit.
 
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