UPDATE: COURT RESERVES RULING ON RIVERS APC LEADERSHIP

July 19, 2024

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The All Progressives Congress (APC, in the state, led by Chief Emeka Beke, filed a lawsuit against the party’s national executive and the seven-member caretaker committee in the state, headed by Chief Tony Okocha. The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has reserved judgment in the case.

Additional defendants in Sam Sam Etetegwung’s lawsuit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Nigerian Police Force, and all elected executive members of the APC.

Etetegwung, Banarth Ezemoye, and Ezekiel Ubom are contesting Beke’s dismissal and the selection of Okocha as the interim committee on behalf of the APC’s elected leaders.

Counsel for the parties presented their cases and approved their final written remarks during the Thursday meeting that was called back.

After hearing them out, the presiding judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, decided to hold off on rendering a decision until a day that would be announced to the parties 48 hours in advance.

In a decision regarding a joinder application submitted by a few APC members who support Vice Chairman of the APC, South-South, Victor Giadom, Aprioku rejected the case on the grounds that it lacked substance and granted the claimants a fine of N300,000.