Rep Candidate Questions Ex-minister’s Role In APC

BY KALU EZIYI, Umuahia

All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency in Abia State, Hon Obilo Ogbonna, has raised concerns on the role of the former minister of state for mines and steel development, Dr Uche Ogah, in the APC.

Ogbonna while speaking with LEADERSHIP Sunday after an Abia State magistrate court sitting in Umuahia, convicted Ogah for forgery in Suit No UMSC/364/2022, said: “His loyalty to his paymasters has never been in doubt. He exhibited it in a very clear term in 2019 when after securing the APC governorship ticket, he brazenly went over to dine with them.”

Ogbonna went ahead to challenge the former minister to show evidence of his 2019 campaign if he was really in the race, noting that he was not surprised that nemesis had caught up with Ogah and his paymasters.

“Their sole and burning desire has been to stop our governorship candidate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike from freeing the state from their stranglehold on the state. Unfortunately it is now late for them.”

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It would be recalled that Ogah, who was absent in the court, was found guilty last Thursday following a criminal complaint filed by the APC as the complaint/applicant in the Suit dated November 27.

The complaint, represented by Barr Vigilus Nwankwo, accused the former minister of “falsifying the APC’s direct primary result summary sheet in his favour that it may be acted upon as genuine.”

The complaint explained that the action of Ogah, who didn’t participate in the May 26 primary, was prejudicial to the party and its authentic governorship flag bearer, High Chief Ikechi Emenike.

It added that he committed an offence contrary to Section 465 of the Criminal Code and Cap 80 of the LFN (as applicable in Abia State) and purninishable under Section 468 of the Criminal Code.

Delivering the judgement, the magistrate, Mrs Ngozi Nwangwa said after listening to the oral address by the APC counsel, and critical appraisal of his submission, she found Ogah as guilty as charged.

The magistrate, therefore, ordered the former minister to be arrested by security agencies anywhere he is found and kept in the nearest correctional centre for sentencing.