Court nullifies APC Congresses in Rivers, fines party N10m

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has nullified the ward, local government, and state congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, which had produced Tony Okocha as chairman.

Justice Godswill Ogbomanu, presiding over the case, delivered the ruling on Friday, declaring the congresses invalid due to an existing court order restraining the party from proceeding with them. The court also imposed a N10 million fine against the APC.

Reacting to the ruling, counsel for the claimants, Emenike Ebette, described the verdict as a victory for justice.

“Justice has been served because the defendants acted in defiance of a court order. When a matter is before the court, and a party ignores its directive, the court has the authority to nullify such actions. Today’s judgment reinforces the court’s dignity and integrity,” Ebette said.

On the other hand, the defendants’ counsel, William Wobodo, stated that they would inform their clients, including the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), about the ruling before determining their next steps.

He further noted that the APC had already filed an appeal challenging the court’s jurisdiction. “An appeal with suit number CA/PH/523/2024 has been lodged at the Court of Appeal, questioning the High Court’s authority to intervene in the internal affairs of a political party,” Wobodo explained.

Wobodo also referenced a Supreme Court ruling in the case of Aguma vs. Dele Moses, which affirmed that the internal affairs of a political party are beyond the jurisdiction of the courts.