In a landmark ruling, the Port Harcourt division of the Rivers State High Court has declared Celestine Omehia ineligible for the title of former governor of Rivers State, thereby disqualifying him from receiving pensions designated for former governors and their deputies. Presiding over the case brought by Omehia, Justice Daketima Kio delivered a comprehensive 97-page judgment, spanning nearly three hours, on the matter.
The court, however, dismissed the counterclaim filed by the state government, which sought to reclaim N695 million in pension payments from Omehia. Justice Daketima Kio deemed the demand lacking in merit, asserting that Omehia had not coerced anyone into disbursing the funds to him.
Following the ruling, counsel for Omehia declined to offer a comment, while Senior State Counsel Gilbert Success, representing the state government, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision. Success refrained from disclosing whether further legal action would be pursued by the state government in light of the judgment.
Providing context to the legal dispute, Celestine Omehia assumed the position of governor of Rivers State on May 29, 2007, following the expiration of Peter Odili's tenure. However, Rotimi Amaechi contested the validity of the primaries that led to Omehia's election, resulting in a protracted legal battle. Eventually, the court ruled in favor of Amaechi as the duly elected candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Subsequently, during Nyesom Wike's tenure as governor, the House of Assembly passed legislation recognizing Omehia's governorship. However, in 2023, Governor Wike rescinded this recognition, demanding the repayment of all pensions accrued by Omehia during his purported governorship.
In response, Omehia sought legal recourse, petitioning the court to reinstate his status as a former governor of Rivers State. Delivering the judgment, Justice Daketima Kio unequivocally affirmed that Omehia was not entitled to pension benefits, as he did not meet the criteria of a former governor.
While the ruling disallows pension benefits for Omehia, it absolves him from the state government's demand for reimbursement, concluding that he had not engaged in any actions compelling the disbursement of funds. This verdict, as reported by TheCable, marks a pivotal development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding Omehia's gubernatorial status and pension entitlements.
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