A Port Harcourt court has nullified the congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, effectively removing Tony Okocha as the state chairman.
Justice Godswill Ogbomanu delivered the ruling, declaring the congresses that produced the sacked APC chairman, Okocha null and void due to the party’s disregard for a court order.
The judge emphasized that the APC violated a prior directive restraining it from conducting ward, local government, and state congresses.
He described the party’s actions as a direct affront to judicial authority and imposed a ₦10 million fine on the APC for contempt of court.
The case was brought before the court by Emenike Ebette, who challenged the legality of the congresses, arguing that they were conducted without adherence to due process. Ebette’s counsel lauded the judgment, stating that it upheld fairness and protected the court’s integrity.
“Justice has been served because the APC blatantly ignored the court’s directive. When a court restrains a party from acting on a subject matter, and they proceed regardless, the court has every right to nullify such actions. This decision reinforces the court’s authority and restores fairness,” the counsel said.
The ruling invalidates all decisions made during the congresses, effectively stripping Okocha of his position as chairman.
In response, the APC’s defence counsel acknowledged the judgment but revealed plans to consult with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to decide on their next steps.
