Court of Appeal declares Edozie Njoku as legitimate APGA chairman 

Court of Appeal declares Edozie Njoku as legitimate APGA chairman

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has delivered a decisive judgment on Appeal nos: CA/ABJ/724/2033 and CA/ABJ/1169/2023 between Victor Oye vs Otumba Camaru Lateef Ogidan & 2ors, resolving all reliefs sought by the appellant, Victor Oye, in favor of the respondents.

The ruling, delivered by Hon. Justice U Onyemenam-JCA, has significant implications for the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

In her judgment, Justice Onyemenam affirmed the following key points:

1. The trial judge has unfettered jurisdiction to hear the case.

2. Chief Victor Oye disobeyed court orders by conducting illegal congresses and a national convention.

3. The Owerri Convention was valid, and Chief Edozie Njoku was properly and legally elected as the National Chairman of APGA.

4. The contempt judgment against Chief Victor Oye and Mahmood Yahaku at the lower court was upheld.

5. The judgment obtained by Chief Victor Oye from Anambra State High Court by Justice Ozor was deemed fraudulent, illegal, and an abuse of court processes.

6. Justice M.A. Madugu of the FCT High Court was correct in declaring Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA, as decided by the Supreme Court.

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7. Justice M.A. Madugu rightly ordered Chief Victor Oye to vacate the National Secretariat for Chief Edozie Njoku.

8. The declaration that Chief Edozie Njoku should be recognised by INEC stands.

9. All actions taken by Chief Victor Oye and Mahmood Yahaku in conducting congresses, conventions, primaries, meetings, or campaign activities are illegal, fraudulent, null, and void.

10. Chief Victor Oye and Mahmood Yahaku are liable to be sentenced to prison for disobeying court orders unless they purge themselves.

11. Both Chief Victor Oye and Mahmood Yahaku are in contempt of court.

This ruling underscores the court’s stance on maintaining legal processes and upholding justice within political party leadership disputes.