By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Justice Abdulkadir Abdu-Kafarati of the Federal High Court Abuja has struck out an application for stay of execution of the judgment that removed the embattled All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chairman, Victor Umeh and Secretary, Sani Shinkafi, from office.
Justice Abdu-Kafarati also granted an application filed by Chief Okwu’s counsel, Oba Maduabuchi, to strike out the matter for lack of jurisdiction as the respondents (Umeh and Shunkafi), had accepted the judgment and entered appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Umeh and Shinkafi’s appeal is slated for hearing at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on 29th April, 2014.
Okwu instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2013 on 19th August 2013, against Victor Umeh, Sani Shinkafi and INEC, seeking a Court order directing the second defendant (Shinkafi) to vacate office as National Secretary of the party, having been first elected into office on 10th January 2003, and was re-elected for a second tenure which expired on 9th January 2010.
An order was therefore issued by the court, directing the first and second defendants and all officers they represent to vacate their offices forthwith.
This order was based on the fact that they were not elected in accordance with Article 18(4) of the Constitution of the Party, which prescribes mandatorily that election into the offices shall be by secret ballot.
The court order also directed INEC to deal with Maxi Okwu’s leadership of APGA, in addition, Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati granted all the reliefs sought by Okwu.
