By Ben Nworie, Abakaliki
The National Industrial Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has removed Mr. James Igwe from office as the Chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTREAN), citing a prior criminal conviction.
In a ruling delivered in suit number NICN/ABK/08/2024, the court declared Igwe’s continued leadership as illegal and in violation of the RTREAN Constitution.
The suit was brought before the court by two applicants, Mr. John Agbo and Chief Simeon Nweze, through their counsel, D.I. Okwor.
The applicants asked the court to determine whether Igwe remained qualified to hold office in light of a May 2, 2023 judgment by Justice B.A.N. Ogbu of the Ebonyi State High Court, which found him guilty of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Delivering judgment, Justice O.O. Arowosegbe held that the 3rd Respondent, James Igwe, is no longer legally eligible to occupy the position of RTREAN chairman in Ebonyi State, as provided under Section 6(1) of the association’s amended 2013 Constitution.
“The 3rd Respondent, James Igwe, is illegally occupying the office of the Chairman of RTREAN, Ebonyi State Chapter, by virtue of his criminal conviction as ruled by Justice B.A.N. Ogbu on May 2, 2023,” Justice Arowosegbe ruled.
The judge further declared that the printing and issuance of tickets by Igwe, even after his conviction, amounted to contempt of court and undermined the rule of law.
The court awarded N500,000 in costs against Igwe and ordered him to refund all emoluments received after the High Court’s judgment.
He is to repay the funds with 25% simple interest per annum until he vacates office.
