Pro-Wike Rivers APC Caretaker Committee Reacts to Court Judgment Sacking It

The Caretaker Committee of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to appeal a recent court judgment that dissolved the committee. On Monday, a Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Sika Aprioku nullified the appointment of the caretaker committee established by the national leadership of the APC, reinstating the Chief Emeka Beke-led elected executives instead.

Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman of the now-sacked caretaker committee, expressed the group’s determination to challenge the ruling. “We are prepared to take this fight as far as the Supreme Court to seek justice,” Okocha asserted while addressing the media following the court’s decision.

The legal battle originated from a case brought by Sam Etetegwung, a former secretary of the party, against the National Chairman of the APC. The caretaker committee was a party to the case, which led to the High Court’s verdict.

Okocha criticized Justice Aprioku’s conduct during the proceedings, citing a petition his group had filed alleging bias on the part of the judge. “It was no surprise that the judge showed bias. In a situation where a trial judge is accused of partiality, the standard procedure is for the judge to recuse himself,” Okocha stated. He further claimed that the judge openly acknowledged the existence of the petition in court, which Okocha argued should have disqualified him from presiding over the case.

“We will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal and, if necessary, proceed to the Supreme Court,” Okocha declared, emphasizing the committee’s resolve to pursue the matter to the highest level of the judiciary.