The All Progressives Congress (APC), South East Zone, has reported Hon. Justice C. V. C. Ezeugwu of the Enugu State High Court to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for issuing an ex parte order barring its Enugu chairman, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, and ten others from parading themselves as officers of the party.
The ex parte order was granted after a motion was filed by other members of the APC.
However, the South-East leadership of the party expressed displeasure at the order and vowed to challenge it.
In a statement signed by Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman of the APC South-East Zone, and made available to journalists on Sunday, the party criticized the order issued on August 7, 2024, in Suit No. E/548M/2024.
Arodiogbu noted that the APC, as a registered political party in Nigeria, was not included in the lawsuit and has not been served with any such ex parte order.
He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also not joined in the suit as required by the Electoral Act 2022.
The APC warned against any unauthorized individuals attempting to interfere with the party’s properties, offices, or assets.
Arodiogbu further highlighted that the APC Constitution strictly prohibits members from taking legal action against the party without first exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
Arodiogbu said, “Some of the parties and official positions stated in the media-advertised interim order are completely unknown to the party and the Constitution of the party as amended.
“And that is why the party insists that an opposition political party in Enugu state is involved in the media orchestrated crisis in our party.”
He cited a similar incident, saying “A few months ago, it was Kano state where the opposition party tried unsuccessfully to embarrass our party with an exparte order against H.E Dr Umar Ghanduje our national chairman and now it is Enugu state, where forces are obviously afraid of our celebrated hard working state chairman the Hon Ugochukwu H Agballah, who has courageously weeded out very powerful moles and restored discipline and dignity to our Enugu state chapter.
“The party has also petitioned the NJC against Justice CVC Ezeugwu for giving an exparte order to persons and offices unknown to the APC in a matter where the APC is not a legal party without putting the party on notice as required by the rules of court and as directed by the NJC.”