Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Anxiety builds up in Umuahia, Abia State capital, as Journalists were barred from covering the judgment proceedings in the petition by the immediate-past Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chinedum Orji, against the member representing Ikwuano-Umuahia federal constituency, Hon Obi Aguocha.
While Orji was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 25 national assembly poll, Aguocha was the Labour Party flag bearer.
Both lawmakers hail from Umuahia political bloc with the former Speaker coming from Ibeku clan while Aguocha is from Ohuhu.
Armed personnel of the Department of State Services, DSS, manned the entrance to the court room at High Court premises Umuahia allowing only legal practitioners and representatives of the parties in the suit access to the court room.
Pleas by journalists to be allowed access into the courtroom were turned down by the DSS personnel on duty who simply said iit was a directive from the Chairman of the panel.
One of the reliefs sought by Orji was the removal of Aguocha for allegedly participating in the PDP primaries before joining the Labour Party.
Meanwhile, interested persons are hanging around the court premises curiously waiting the outcome of the court trial.
Details later…
