Benue APC crisis: Real reason court returned Austin Agada as chairman

A Benue High Court, presided over by the Chief Judge of the State, Maurice Ikpambese, has ordered the reinstatement of Mr. Austin Agada as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ikpambese issued the directive on Monday during a ruling on a motion seeking to set aside the Interim Order that had halted Agada from assuming his role as Chairman of the APC in Benue.

Previously, Agada had been suspended by the Benue High Court in Aliade, under the jurisdiction of Justice Lilian Tsumba, over allegations of anti-party activities.

Following arguments presented by counsel to Agada, Mr. Agaba Moses, and Mr. J.J Usman, SAN, Ikpambese lifted the order that had restrained Agada from carrying out his duties as Chairman of the APC in Benue.

The Chief Judge cited Order 39 Rule 3 of the Benue State High Court Procedure Rules, 2023, stating that the interim order issued on February 2nd had a legal lifespan of seven days, which had since elapsed.

Ikpambese noted that Tsumba, who had initially restrained Agada, lacked the jurisdiction to issue an Interim Order in this matter, as it was not assigned to her by the Chief Judge or the Superior Judge in Aliade.

He nullified the appointment of Benjamin Omakolo as Acting Chairman of the APC in Benue, along with any other appointments made since February 2, 2024.