Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has filed a notice of appeal and application for stay of execution at the Court of Appeal in Abuja against the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court.
The judgment by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered Monday was in connection with a case of alleged falsification of tax receipts instituted by Uche Ogah, second runner up in the primary of the PDP held at the Umuahia Township Stadium in December 2014.
Governor Ikpeazu, who spoke through Appollous Enyinnaya, his Chief Press Secretary said on Tuesday that he had faith in the judiciary and rule of law, and that he would appeal the ruling as he had instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgment.
The governor noted that as an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), and first Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs respectively, before his resignation in October 2014 to contest the Governorship election in the state, his taxes were deducted at source.
Continuing, he maintained that when he had need of his tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question.
He maintained that he remains the Governor of the state according to law and will await the final determination of the matter by the Appellate courts.