Supreme Court yesterday adjourned the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, leadership dispute between Chief Maxi Okwu and Chief Victor Umeh to March 31, 2015.
The five-man panel presided by Justice Suleiman Galadima adjourned hearing in the matter initially slated for yesterday to March 31, following a prayer by Isaac Bazimo, who told the court that his principal, Patrick Ikwueto, was sick and flown to the United Kingdom.
Bazimo, however, said Ikwueto had recovered and was expected in the country on Tuesday morning, and asked for a short adjournment to enable Ikwueto to handle the matter today.
He stated that he could move an application to amend the brief of the first and second respondents (Umeh and Sani Shinkafi), dated March 7, 2015, and filed same day.
Okwu’s lawyer, Garba Pwul and INEC counsel, Ibrahim Bawa, did not object to the application. The court granted the leave to amend the brief earlier filed on February 13, 2015.
Pwul, who appeared with Oba Maduabuchi, also prayed the court to deem his reply brief filed on March 23, 2015, properly filed after the first and second respondents (Umeh and Shinkafi) amended their brief of argument.
The court granted the application and deemed it properly filed and served today.
The INEC counsel, Ibrahim Bawa also prayed the court for extension of time to file his brief of argument and deemed it properly filed and served. The court also granted the application.
Pwul urged the court to allow parties to adopt their briefs as the substance of the matter would be destroyed if the matter was not heard today as scheduled.
He expressed sympathy over the ill health of Ikwueto, adding that he ought to have been notified of his health challenge.
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APGA crisis: Supreme Court adjourns hearing to March 31
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