The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by its National Chairman Edozie Njoku, has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) regarding a judgment delivered by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho on the party’s leadership dispute.
Speaking at a press conference in Enugu, the party’s founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Chekwas Okorie, expressed concerns about the ruling, which was issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2024. The judgment reportedly ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw its recognition of Edozie Njoku as APGA’s National Chairman and replace him with Sly Ezeonwuka.
Okorie highlighted that this decision was made while a related case was still pending before the Supreme Court. He recalled that a five-member panel of Supreme Court justices had previously delivered a unanimous ruling affirming Njoku as the party’s National Chairman. Despite this, INEC initially failed to comply but later recognized Njoku following a court order.
He further noted that Justice Maguda had previously convicted INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and former APGA factional chairman Victor Oye for contempt of court, though sentencing was delayed to allow them time to purge the contempt.
Okorie criticized Justice Omotosho for delivering a judgment while the Supreme Court was yet to rule on an appeal brought by Victor Oye and Sly Ezeonwuka. He described the verdict as an attempt to preempt the Supreme Court, accusing the judge of overstepping judicial boundaries and undermining the judicial process.
“Justice Omotosho, with rebellious audacity, delivered a judgment that is tantamount to preempting the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Okorie stated, adding that the judge wrongly indicted INEC for complying with the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling.
Okorie expressed optimism that the NJC, as the body responsible for upholding judicial ethics, would address their petition. He urged INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to resist coercion and intimidation from any quarters.
“APGA has taken the civilized step of submitting the party’s petition to the NJC while patiently awaiting the judgment of the Supreme Court,” Okorie concluded.
The leadership tussle continues to generate tension within the party as stakeholders await further developments in the legal battle.