Nigeria:Court sacks Governor with immediate effect over fraudulent tax clearance

Nigerian Federal high court annulled the election of the governor of Abia State in the south eastern part of Nigeria for submitting false information to his political party during the 2014 elections reports local media.

The court held that Mr. Ikpeazu was guilty of tax evasion and was therefore unqualified to have contested the 2015 governorship election in the state. 

The court also ordered the governor to vacate office immediately, and hand over to Mr. Ogah, owner of Masters Energy, who came second in the PDP governorship primaries in Abia.

Mr. Ikpeazu is yet to comment on the judgement.

Background

Two members of the PDP had accused Mr. Ikpeazu of failing to pay per­sonal income tax promptly as and when due for 2010 and 2011 in line with Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “It shall be the duty of every citizen to … declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.

Premuim Times