Court of Appeal affirms Agada-Led APC Executive in Benue, dismisses Omale’s Appeal

The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, on Tuesday dismissed Appeal No. CA/MKD/119/2024 filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), affirming the judgment of the Makurdi High Court which nullified the dissolution of the Augustine Agada-led Benue State Executive Committee of the party.

The appellate court upheld the earlier decision of Justice T.A. Kume of the Makurdi High Court, which declared the dissolution of the Agada-led State Executive Committee by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC unlawful and invalid.

In the lead judgment delivered on behalf of the Presiding Justice, the court held that all five issues raised by counsel to the appellant, S.D. Swem Esq., and adopted and argued by M.T. Alyebo Esq., counsel to Hon. Augustine Agada and eight others, were resolved against the APC and in favour of Agada.

The court also affirmed the consequential order of the trial court declaring that all actions taken by the Benjamin Omale-led Caretaker Committee were “null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

Benjamin Omale, who was listed as the 10th respondent in the appeal, aligned himself with the arguments advanced by the APC but did not file any separate process before the court.

Reacting to the judgment, Hon. Augustine Agada expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and called on members of the party to remain calm and united.

The ruling effectively reinforces the legitimacy of the Agada-led State Working Committee as the recognized leadership of the APC in Benue State.