The Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe, has described reports that she ran away from her duty post to avoid swearing-in Uche Ogah as the governor of the state as “allegations of cowardice by mischievous politicians.”

Following the crisis that beset the state after the issuing of a certificate of return to Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), some reports had accused the Chief Judge of the state of neglecting her office and duty post in a bid to delay the swearing-in of the newly anointed governor.

The embattled governor however, Okezie Ikpeazu had immediately filed an appeal after a Federal High Court mandated INEC to recognise Ogah as the legitimate winner of the state’s 2015 election. Regardless, INEC went ahead to anoint a new governor.

The Chief Judge of the state, reacting to the reports, said she was in her office throughout work time on Thursday June 30 2016 from 8:30am till 4:30pm.

In a statement issued by the Acting Chief Registrar Abia State Judiciary, Vicky Analaba, the Chief Judge said she had facts and records to show to confirm that she was at her duty post within the working hours as stipulated.

The statement read, “The attention of the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe, has been drawn to various spurious and mischievous reports alleging that the Honorable Chief Judge had absconded from her duty post on Thursday 30th June 2016, to avoid swearing in Uche Ogah as Governor of Abia State.”

“Contrary to the allegations of cowardice by mischievous politicians, the Chief Judge, was in her office throughout work time on Thursday 30 June 2016 from 8:30am till 4:30pm.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, on Thursday 30th June 2016, the Chief Judge was in her court room performing her lawful duties, including the delivery of four rulings on that date.”

“The particulars of the rulings in question are, HU/35CM/2015 FRANCIS AKOR vs THE STATE; HU/ICM/2016-Johnson Aseigbu vs. Commissioner of Police, HU/42CM/2016-Onyekachi Samuel vs. Commissioner of Police; HU/34CM/2016-Lucky Sampson vs. the State.”

“These facts are verifiable and in the records of the court. The various lawyers who appeared in the respective suits listed above are also living witnesses. This press release has become necessary in order to avoid further mischief and to set the records straight.”

Ikpeazu, through his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) already filed a motion asking for a stay of execution of the judgment given by an Abuja High Court in favor of Ogah.

The court is expected to sit on Monday.