The Court of Appeal in Makurdi has delivered a landmark ruling, upholding the Benue State High Court’s decision that invalidated the dissolution of the Augustine Agada-led State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The appellate court, in its judgment on Appeal No. CA/MKD/119/2024, dismissed the appeal filed by the APC against the earlier verdict of Justice T. A. Kume of the Makurdi High Court.
Delivering the lead judgment on behalf of the Presiding Justice, the court ruled against the APC on all five issues raised, favoring Augustine Agada and eight other respondents. The appellate court also upheld the consequential order from the lower court, declaring that all actions taken by the Benjamin Omale-led Caretaker Committee were null and void and of no legal effect. Benjamin Omale, listed as the 10th respondent, aligned with the APC’s arguments but did not file any separate legal process.
Reacting to the judgment, Agada expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to dispense justice and called on party members to remain calm and united. The ruling reinforces the legitimacy of the Agada-led APC State Executive Committee in Benue State while rendering the caretaker committee constituted by the national leadership invalid.