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The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has told the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, not to fall for intimidation or coercion of Justice JK Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Naija News reports that Okorie’s warning follows a recent ruling of Justice Omotosho concerning the ongoing turmoil within APGA.
It is worth noting that the prolonged leadership disputes in various Nigerian courts witnessed a new development last week when Justice Omotosho issued a ruling related to the APGA leadership conflict.
In his judgment, the judge accused INEC of interfering in the internal matters of APGA.
He directed the Commission to revoke its recognition of Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA and to appoint Sly Ezeonwuka, the personal assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, as the new National Chairman of the party.
It could also be recalled that on March 24, 2023, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous final judgment affirming Chief Edozie Njoku’s position as the National Chairman of the party.
The Supreme Court clearly stated that the alleged removal of Chief Edozie Njoku by the High Court of Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State was not justifiable, citing numerous Supreme Court precedents.
Despite being a party to the case, INEC failed to comply with the explicit and unequivocal ruling of the Supreme Court.
The Commission remained unyielding after multiple official communications to INEC, including the direct delivery of the enrolled order of the judgment by the Chief Bailiff of the Supreme Court.
In response, two members of the National Working Committee of APGA approached the FCT High Court 40 in Bwari to seek enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment, as stipulated by the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empowers any lower court to enforce Supreme Court judgments in cases of non-compliance by any involved parties.
During the trial, the court issued a ruling on a motion, directing that no party involved in the case should hold congresses, conventions, or primaries until the case was resolved.
In disregard of this court order, Chief Victor Oye organised a convention for the Party in Awka, Anambra State, where Mr. Sly Ezeonwuka was elected as the National Chairman of APGA.
In response, the Njoku-led APGA promptly submitted forms 48 and 49 to seek the commitment of Chief Victor Oye and Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, the Chairman of INEC, to the Correctional Center for contempt of court.
On June 6, 2023, Hon. Magudu of the FCT High Court 40, Bwari, delivered a well-reasoned judgment affirming Chief Edozie Njoku and his National Working Committee as the legitimate leadership of APGA, in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
On November 29, 2023, Hon. Justice Magudu found Prof. Yakubu Mahmood and Chief Victor Oye guilty of contempt of court but postponed sentencing to allow them the opportunity to rectify their contempt.
Chief Oye subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal, contesting both the judgment regarding the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling and the contempt ruling.
On June 26, 2024, a panel of three Justices from the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of APGA under Chief Edozie Njoku as National Chairman on all ten grounds of appeal.
Following the unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal, INEC finally complied with the Supreme Court ruling, which the Court of Appeal had upheld.
Chief Victor Oye and Sly Ezeonwuka then escalated the matter to the Supreme Court to contest the Court of Appeal’s ruling.
On the 4th of November, a 5-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court heard the suits and motion presented to it. The apex court reserved judgment on a date to be communicated to all parties.
Having all these details in place, Okorie described Justice Omotosho’s November 20th, 2024 ruling as a rebellious, damning judgment that is, according to him, tantamount to pre-empting the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Justice Omotosho, in a scathing remark, indicted INEC for meddling in the internal affairs of APGA when all that the Commission did was to comply with the affirmation of the judgment of the Supreme Court as enforced by the Trial Court.
“Prof Mahmood must be guided not to fall for Justice Omotosho’s coercion and intimidation.
“APGA has taken the civilized step of submitting the Party’s petition to the NJC while patiently awaiting the judgment of the Supreme Court without being cowered in the least by the vaunting of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and his agent provocateur who claim to have the connection to steer the course of justice in all circumstances and at all levels in Nigeria,” the BoT chair stated.
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