…. Congratulates Sen Mbata
- Okiro lamented that the Election Committee of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo refused to screen him even though it asserted it had no copy of a court order barring him
Retired Inspector-general of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, has decried his exclusion from participation in the just-concluded election of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, based on a spurious court order, stating that it was at variance with principle of justice.
Okiro, however, congratulated Senator John Mbata on his election and pledged his unalloyed support for the progress and advancement of Ndigbo worldwide.
The former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, also pleaded with his aggrieved supporters and right-thinking Igbos to remain calm in the interest of collective will and patriotism.
Okiro lamented that the Election Committee of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo refused to screen him even though it asserted it had no copy of a court order barring him, which never existed anyway, hence he submitted two copies of some documents to the screening committee and left the premises.
He added that contrary to media report, the fact as contained in the court process which his lawyer obtained from the High Court of Enugu State of Nigeria presided over by Honourable Justice N.R. Oji did not bar him from the election.
“What the media showed the world was false, deceitful and misleading and I fell into it because I am law abiding and on Thursday 9th January, 2025 I had to address the press to say that I was stepping aside in compliance with the court injunction to encourage Nigerians to be law-abiding and obey constituted authorities viz-a-viz the courts.
“There was a suit, but no order from the court. Later in the day, I went for screening based on the fact that my lawyer was still struggling to set aside the order that if he succeeds by Friday 10th January, 2025, I would take part in the election.
“By the close of work on Friday 10th January, 2025 my Lawyer was able to obtain the court proceedings while the election had been concluded without me.”