An Abuja High Court has ruled against the expulsion of Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Presided over by Justice N. Iheme, the court found the action to be “baseless and illegal.”
The expulsion had earlier been announced by a faction of the PDP aligned with Senator Samuel Anyanwu in Imo State.
However, the court determined that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP holds the authority to discipline a serving federal lawmaker.
In its ruling, the court stated: “The 1st Defendant, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, was still a member of the PDP and a member of the National Assembly under the PDP constitution,” emphasizing that disciplinary powers over National Assembly members lie solely with the NEC.
Further reinforcing this point, the court said: “In this instant case, the PDP NEC denied suspending or expelling the defendant.”
Additionally, the judgment referenced the PDP’s own affidavit, noting: “Even the PDP in its affidavit in support said that the party did not expel the 1st Defendant and only the NEC has the power to hear any allegation or set up a disciplinary committee against a sitting member of the National Assembly as provided for by its Constitution.”
