Rivers APC Responds to Appeal Court Ruling on Okocha

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to an Appeal Court judgment that upheld a previous ruling by the Rivers State High Court, which nullified the congress led by Toni Okocha. The High Court, presided over by Justice Godswill Obomanu, issued an ex parte order on December 20, 2024, restraining the Progress Congress from conducting its congress.

Despite this, the party proceeded with its congress, resulting in the emergence of Toni Okocha as the state chairman. The APC cited this disregard for the court order as a basis for their appeal.

Okocha's counsel, Emenik Ebet, indicated that the judgment rendered all actions taken by Okocha's executive since the ruling null and void, including local government elections. The Appeal Court, led by Justice Elfreida Oluwayemisi William Dawodu, unanimously upheld the High Court's decision, stating that the matter would return to the lower court for a full trial.

Okocha plans to appeal the judgment, arguing that the High Court lacked jurisdiction.