The emergence of Senator Azuta John Mbata as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on January 10, 2025, has sparked controversy, particularly over a purported court order barring Sir Mike Okiro, former Inspector General of Police, from contesting the election.
According to a press statement issued by Fred O. Ndukwe, Chairman of the South East, South South People's Forum, Sir Okiro has denied the existence of any legitimate court injunction preventing him from contesting.
He described the alleged order as a hoax and criticized the media for publishing unverified information. Okiro called for thorough investigative journalism and urged the police to trace the source of the misinformation, emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible accountable.
The statement further revealed that Sir Okiro commended the judge presiding over the matter, Justice N.R. Orji, for denying issuance of any such order, clarifying that the actual hearing was set for the same day as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly. Justice Orji reportedly condemned the circulation of the fake order, highlighting its damaging impact on judicial credibility.
Okiro expressed concerns over fraudulent court practices, particularly the manipulation of court processes for personal gain. He called for stringent sanctions against lawyers and individuals involved in such unethical acts, warning that these practices undermine the integrity of the judiciary. He also stressed that respondents may now insist on physically seeing hard copies of court orders before complying, rather than relying on media reports.
In the press statement, Okiro questioned the legitimacy of the injunction used by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Screening Committee to bar him from contesting. Despite the controversy, he congratulated Senator Azuta John Mbata on his election and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the interests of the Ndigbo people globally.
The statement concluded with Okiro’s declaration that he would pursue legal action to address the alleged violation of his fundamental rights, expressing confidence that the judiciary would resolve the matter in accordance with the law
