APGA, Chief Chekwas Okorie Call for Investigation into Alleged Forgery by Lawyer

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its founder, Chief Chekwas Okorie, alongside Jonathan Oyiborhino Osigho, have called for a thorough investigation into allegations of forgery and professional misconduct against lawyer Sopuluchukwu Ezeonwuka.

In a petition dated May 29, addressed to Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, the complainants detailed concerns over Ezeonwuka’s actions in the appeal case CA/ABJ/CV/454/2023, involving APGA and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The petition, also copied to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, and the Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), alleges that Ezeonwuka filed an appeal without the knowledge or consent of APGA or its key members. The letter, signed by their lawyer Nkechinyere Ogbuehi of Magna Mentes Associates, highlights unauthorized actions that have raised serious ethical questions.

The petition states: “Our clients had no knowledge of the appeal CA/ABJ/CV/454/2023 and did not authorize anyone to file or prosecute it.” The document further asserts that after a March 27, 2023 judgment by Justice J. K. Omotosho in a related case, APGA instructed its members not to pursue an appeal.

Chief Okorie expressed deep concern over Ezeonwuka’s alleged unauthorized filing of the appeal, using the names of all appellants without their consent. The petition also questions the involvement of Chief C. N. Nwagbo as counsel for the appellants, noting that no agreement or payment was made for his services.

Addressing the media after submitting the petition, Okorie called for a thorough investigation to ensure that such unethical practices are addressed, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of legal proceedings.

In response, Mr. Ezeonwuka denied the allegations, asserting that the appeal was filed correctly and that the same counsel represented the appellants at both the trial and appeal levels. He suggested that the issue is an internal matter for APGA to resolve.