By Abiola Olawale
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly rejected a judgement of the Rivers State High Court which reinstated Emeka Beke as the Chairman of the party in Rivers State.
The NWC said the court erred in law by delivery such a judgement, maintaining that the party still recognizes Tony Okocha as chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the party in Rivers State.
The NWC made this resolution at a meeting in Abuja chaired by the National Chairman of APC, Umar Ganduje.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Festus Fuanter argued that Beke had already been sacked by another court.
He also maintained that, given that Beke is still appealing the judgement against him, the ruling of the Rivers State High Court amounted to an abuse of court process.
He added that the APC would, however, seek legal remedy against the judgment which reinstated Beke.
Fuanter said: “The judgment delivered by the Rivers High Court per. Justice §. Aprioko in Suit No: PHC 3592 CS. 2023 wherein the Court reinstated the dissolved State Executive Committee that it is not binding on the Party (APC).
“The claimant in the said case sued the National Chairman and Secretary of our great Party and not the Party itself and you cannot sue an agent of a disclosed principal. That a Court Judgment/Ruling/Order is not binding on a person or organization that is not a party to the suit.
“In suit no: PHC/3592/CS/2023 between Sam Sam Etetegwung Vs. H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje & 7 Ors wherein the Court reinstated the Rivers State Executive Committee earlier dissolved by APC, is not binding on APC because it was not joined as a party in the suit.
“Secondly, there is a valid and subsisting Court Judgment against Chief Emeka Beke & Iheanyichukwu Azubuike (former Rivers State APC Chairman and Legal Adviser), respectively, wherein they were removed from office. The said case suit No. PHC/925/CS/2023 Omiete Efrebo & 9 Ors. Vs. Chief Emeka Beke & 2 Ors. were removed from office. It is pertinent to state here that the said judgment has been appealed against by Chief Emeka Beke, and it is pending before the Court of Appeal.
“Given the above, the Party still recognizes the erstwhile Caretaker Committee set up to oversee the affairs of the Party in the State”.
