APGA Crisis: Appeal Court Sacks Agbaso, Affirms Oye As Authentic National Chairman

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, August 16th, 2017

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, South East Nigeria Wednesday night upturned the judgement of an Enugu State High Court that sacked Victor Oye as the National Chairman of the crisis-‘ridden All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

African Examiner recalled that an Enugu High Court presided over by Justice A.R Ozoemena had ordered the removal of the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye and replaced him with Chief Martin Agbaso as the Acting national chairman of the party.

The judge ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop further dealings with Oye.

Action of the lower court followed a suit filed by the Secretary of the party in Enugu State, Comrade Mike Alioke, who challenged the continued occupation of the national chairmanship office of the by Oye after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party affirmed his suspension on October 5th, 2016

But, delivering judgement on an appeal brought against the judgment of the lower court to the appeal court by Oye, the court presided over by Abdul Aboki affirmed Victor Oye as the National chairman of APGA.

Justice Aboki, who set aside the judgment of the lower court, and read the lead judgment of his 3- man panel of justices, insisted that Appellant, was not giving a fair hearing hearing, adding that Oye’s fundamental right was breached.

On the submission that the appeal court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the appeal, he dismissed the submission, declaring that the court has the jurisdiction.

Lead Counsel to Oye, Emeka Etiaba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN in his reaction on the judgment said the implication of the verdict was that it is only Chief Oye,s led executive of APGA that has the right to present the governorship candidate of the party in the November 18 Anambra State election.

Meanwhile, the two issues formulated in the appeal by the Appellant were all resolved in his favour.