An Ebonyi State High Court has granted Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, an interim order to remain in office after a Federal High Court judgement had sacked them.

Umahi and his deputy were on Tuesday sacked on the grounds of their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

However, the interim order from a state high court is expected to last for seven days, according to Daily Trust.

The publication reported that the order was issued by Justice Henry Njoku, who had on February 28, 2022, ruled in favour of Umahi in a suit filed by the governorship candidate, Sen. Sonny Ogbuorji of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 elections.

“Motion Ex-parte dated and filled on 9th March 2022 and brought pursuant to order 39 rule 3(3) of the high court rule of Ebonyi state, 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honourable court coming before His Leadership, Justice Henry Njoku on 10th March 2022 praying the court as follow.”

“An Interim order of the court for seven days (subject to renewal) that in view of its judgement in suit No.HAB/13/2022 delivered on 28th February, 2022 being a judgement in rem and having procedure over any subsequent contrary judgement.

“The applicants Engr. David Umahi and Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe shall remain and not removed from office as governor and deputy governor of the state, respectively”, the motion read in part.