The Appeal Court holds off on a verdict in the Benue APC conflict between Agba and Agada. Discover the latest updates on this high-stakes political case.
The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, has reviewed the appeal filed by Hon. Moses Agaba regarding the High Court’s decision to annul the interim order that had restrained Comrade Austin Agada from acting as the Benue State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In this appeal, Hon. Agaba contests the ruling made by Justice M. A. Ikpambese, the Chief Judge of Benue State, which overturned the interim order previously issued by the Aliade Division of the Benue State High Court, preventing Agada from claiming the chairmanship of the APC in the state.
During the proceedings, Counsel for Agaba, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, presented his arguments, asserting that the Chief Judge erred by taking the case file from another judge and nullifying the interim order, which he argued constituted an improper review of a decision made by a judge of equal standing. In contrast, Counsel for Agada, Yakubu Philemon, SAN, argued that the lower court acted correctly in dismissing the interim injunction, as it was intended to last only seven days and had expired on February 12, 2024, without any subsequent application to extend it.
Additionally, the Court of Appeal addressed another appeal concerning the National Industrial Court of Nigeria’s ruling from June 15, 2023, which had declined to consider motions from the Appellants questioning the court’s jurisdiction over a case brought by 23 former Local Government Council Chairmen in Benue State, elected under the PDP platform.
Counsel for the Appellants, S. A. Akpehe, Esq., reiterated that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, as it did not pertain to industrial matters.
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