Gov Eno wins again as Federal High Court upholds his immunity status
A further attempt at ruffling the seat of Government in Akwa Ibom State was on Tuesday abated at the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Garki, Abuja.
In its appellate jurisdiction in Appeal No. CRA/02/2023 between Mr. Edet Godwin Etim vs Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the court granted an application filed by Counsel to Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, invoking the immunity clause in Section 308 of the Constitution FRN 1999.
According to the ruling by Justice S. B. Belgore, appeal No.CRA/02/2023 brought by Mr. Edet Godwin Etim has been abated till the end of the tenure of the Governor.
Justice Belgore prayed that all parties would all be alive to witness the end of the tenure which could run till 2031.
A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja had on January 11, last year struck out the case and nullified the warrant of arrest issued against Pastor Umo Eno, then PDP Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State.
The Chief Magistrate Court in a judgment dated December 23,2022 had previously issued a warrant of arrest based on allegation of cheating brought before it by Edet Godwin.
Pastor Umo Eno in his response had through his counsel admitted before the magistrate court not ever being served with any notice of court summons by the Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja.
Upholding the position of the Counsel to Pastor Umo Eno, Barr. Samuel Ikpo, the Chief Magistrate Court admitted that it was misled by the applicant, Edet Godwin into issuing the warrant of arrest.
The court therefore set aside the entire proceedings and judgment on grounds of lack of jurisdiction.
Dissatisfied with the ruling of the Magistrate court, Mr Godwin Etim had approach the FCT Federal High Court seeking among other things, an order restoring the Bench warrant or warrant of arrest.
Mr Etim also sought an Order of the Court sentencing the Respondent, to 7 years imprisonment and to impose a fine in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Governor Eno was represented in court by his legal team comprising Paul Usoro, SAN, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN and Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN
