The court of appeal sacked Senator Ighoyota Amori representing Delta Central district under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), SaharaReporters has learnt.
The legislator, with the nickname the “Cruise boat senator”, is to be replaced with Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege of the Labour Party.
Photos of Mr. Amori’s extravagant birthday party went viral and left many questioning his decision to abandon his legislative duties in Nigeria and the source of his wealth.
Mr. Amori previously represented the Delta Central district in Delta State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, the Court has now ordered that Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege of the Labour Party (LP) be sworn in after a long election petition tribunal leading to the Appeal Court decision.
It will be recalled that Mr. Amori was interviewed by SaharaTV in August where he defended the integrity of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who has been incarcerated in the United Kingdom for financial crimes and laundering money from his obscene looting as Governor. Mr. Amori told SaharaTV that “I visit James Ibori once every month. But I am not the only one who visits James Ibori. There is an avalanche of people—ministers, governors, Nigerian ambassadors—visiting James Ibori in prison. That should tell you about the person of James Ibori.”
The Court declared Mr. Omo-Agege the winner of the March 28th contest after it cancelled inflated votes from some areas of the senatorial district, particularly Ethiope East which is the home location of the former Governor Ibori.
Last weekend a fleet of Senators attended a Thanksgiving for Mr. Amori in Delta State ahead of the Appeal Court ruling. The Senators in attendance included the disparaged Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, the Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, and Dino Melaye. It will be recalled that Mr. Melaye has voiced his support for the media censorship bill and assisted Senate President Saraki during corruption proceedings against him despite his career as a supposed anti-corruption activist.
