Delta APC Crisis: High Court Resumes Trial, Admits Exhibits and Evidence

By Miracle Enuji

All efforts geared towards the harmonization of the two warring factions of the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has once more hit a brickwall, as the Federal High Court Sitting in Asaba, the State Capital has resumed trial into the suit filed before it to determine the true leadership of the party in State.

The suit which was referred back to the High Court from the Appeal Court Holden in Benin city, gathered momentum on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 as Justice Toyin Adegoke admitted exhibits and evidence tendered before the court by the Plaintiffs.

The Plaintiffs led by the Chief Cyril Ogodo led State Working Committee (SWC) in a suit, FA/ASB/CS/76/2018, had applied for an interlocutory injunction restraining the National Working Committee, NWC of the APC and the National Party chairman, Adams Oshiomhole from submitting the list of candidates from Prophet Jones Erue faction to INEC.

Delta APC is having a tough time over the issue of the authentic list of candidates that emerged from the parallel primaries conducted in the state through the two contending State Executives in the state. The primary of the Chief Cyril Ogodo led Exco produced Prof. Pat Utomi and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor as Governorship and Senatorial candidates respectively while that of the Prophet Jones Erue led Exco produced Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as Governorship and Senatorial candidates respectively. The fourth defendant in the suit is Prophet Jones Erue and his parallel Executives.

Speaking to journalists after the court proceedings, Counsel to the Plaintiffs, Barr. O.J. Oghenejakpor said, “what has happened today is that, we have started giving evidence. Some exhibits have been tendered, others will be tendered tomorrow”.

Chief Cyril Ogodo who was present at the court sitting, slammed the Defence for frustrating the process, but however, expressed confidence at the resumed hearing.“ The case has started and we have started giving evidence and by tomorrow, I will finish my evidence.” Ogodo said.

He called on party faithful to remain positive and prayerful, stressing that only prayers will bring the needed justice they demand.

Reactions from the Defence Counsel were not possible as they dashed out of the Court premises with a retinue of Mobile Policemen.

The matter has been adjourned to Thursday, January 16, 2019 for further hearing.

It will be recalled that, the sitting judge, Justice Toyin Adegoke, had on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in a ruling, ordered the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole who was joined in the suit, as the 2nd respondent with All Progressives Congress (APC) as 1st respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission and Prophet Jones Erue as the 3rd and 4th respondents respectively and the Plaintiffs, to maintain status quo and desist from submitting any list of candidates from Delta State by the two factions to INEC, till the substantive suit filed is heard.