The Supreme Court has confirmed Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa as the legitimate chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), resolving the party’s leadership dispute. In two unanimous rulings on Wednesday, a five-member panel dismissed Edozie Njoku’s claim to the chairmanship. The court clarified that its earlier judgment in case SC/CV/687/2021, delivered on October 14, 2021, and corrected on March 24, 2023, did not grant Njoku enforceable rights to the party’s leadership.

Justice Stephen Adah, delivering the lead judgment, emphasized that the 2021 ruling granted declaratory reliefs only, which are not enforceable. He stated that matters of party leadership are internal and not subject to judicial review. Furthermore, he criticized Njoku’s approach to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Bwari, seeking to enforce a judgment without executory elements. Consequently, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s June 28, 2024 decision, which had upheld the FCT High Court’s ruling in favor of Njoku.

The apex court also imposed a fine of ₦20 million against Njoku for filing a frivolous suit, bringing the total costs in three related appeals to ₦60 million. The appeals included SC/CV/824/2024, SC/CV/825/2024, and SC/CV/826/2024, all addressing APGA’s leadership.

In his reaction, Ezeokenwa praised the Supreme Court for its impartial judgment, affirming the convention that elected him and ending doubts over the party’s leadership. He criticized the disruption caused by “selfish ambitions” and expressed pride in the judiciary’s role as a pillar of justice, reiterating his commitment to leading APGA.