On 19th February, 2021 the Federal High Court Owerri, presided over by Honorable justice T. G. Ringim in Suit No FHC/Ow/CS/71/2020 – Obum Joseph Vs Nkechi Ugwu & ors accusing the Commissioner, Honorable Nkechi Ugwu of not possessing the necessary academic qualification to be commissioner and demanding publication of her credential from the Imo state House of Assembly was dismissed.
The court agreed with the submission of the Counsel for the commissioner that the freedom of information Act under which Mr Obum Joseph, of Nwangele LGA, brought his suit is not enforceable in Imo state.
Furthermore, the matter falls outside the subject matter,jurisdiction of the Federal high court as provided for in section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
Reacting to the court decision, counsel to the commissioner, Barr D.O Agbo Esq said; ” I can not but agree with the judgment of the Honorable court which is a well researched judgment. He thanked the Honorable court for standing by the law and justice. The plaintiff, is a busy body masquerading under the freedom of information act to harass the Honorable commissioner. Unfortunately, his mission and those faceless individuals sponsoring him failed woefully. This is one politically motivated case intended to distract the Honorable commissioner from focusing on the good works she is doing to ensure delivery of dividends of Democracy to those under her ministry.I am happy that at the end justice has been done”.
When contacted, the Commissioner, Ugwu said: “I thank God for this judicial vindication, all glory be to God”.
