APGA Denounces FCT High Court Judgment On Party Leadership

 

APGA DENOUNCES FCT HIGH COURT JUDGMENT ON PARTY LEADERSHIP

 

By Wole Adedoyin

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) hereby expresses its strong denouncement of the recent judgment delivered by His Lordship, Hon Justice Mohammed A Madugu of the FCT High Court, Bwari Judicial Division. This judgment purportedly made pronouncements on the corrected Supreme Court judgment, declaring the Plaintiffs as National Officers of APGA and questioning the authority of the immediate past National Chairman, Dr Victor Ike Oye, to conduct Congresses and the National Convention of APGA.

In a statement released today by the National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, KSM, APGA highlights the irregularities surrounding the proceedings and clarifies the implications of the judgment for the party and the general public.

APGA acknowledges that it would have ignored these perverse and overreaching pronouncements, as the party had no involvement in the proceedings before the said Court. However, the party feels compelled to address the judgment for the benefit of its esteemed members and the general public who may be unaware of its correct implications.

APGA has previously raised concerns regarding the actions taken by Justice Madugu during the proceedings, particularly his ruling on June 2, 2023, which declared an appeal pending before the Court of Appeal as incompetent. Thus, the judgment delivered by the Court comes as no surprise to APGA.

Furthermore, APGA finds it bewildering that the Judge attempted to pronounce upon the tenure of the plaintiffs, which had already expired on May 31, 2023, as per their own claim before the court. Consequently, the court lacked the jurisdiction to deliver the judgment on June 6, 2023.

In light of these facts, APGA firmly asserts that it has no involvement in either the proceedings before Justice Madugu or the judgment delivered by him. As a party, APGA was not a party in the suit and is therefore not bound by the outcome or the judgment purportedly delivered by the Trial Judge.

It is worth noting that the correct interpretation of the Supreme Court Ruling of March 24, 2023, which Justice Madugu delved into, has already been settled by the judgments of two Federal High Courts. Hon Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, and Hon Justice H A Nganjiwa of the Awka Division have already provided clarity on this matter. Additionally, the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment of Justice Omotosho on June 2, 2023. Justice Madugu's attempt to overturn the Court of Appeal's judgment is a display of judicial rascality.

APGA reiterates that its nationwide congresses and National Convention were conducted in compliance with the judgment of the High Court of Anambra State, Otuocha Judicial Division, which ordered APGA to hold these events before the expiration of its current officers' tenure. Dr Victor Ike Oye cannot, under any circumstances, be equated with APGA. APGA is a duly registered political party with its common seal and possesses the full right to sue or be sued in its name.

Therefore, APGA urges its esteemed members, supporters, and the general public to disregard any claims of an alleged judgment affecting the leadership of the party. Barr Sly Ezeokenwa remains the duly elected National Chairman of APGA, having emerged from a proper National Convention duly monitored by INEC. He is the rightful person recognized by law to carry out the functions of the office.