The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) strongly condemns the recent letter written by Chief Chekwas Okorie, titled Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is a Contemnor and Must Resign as Chairman of INEC.
The AYCF wishes to address the misinformation and false claims in the letter in which Okorie portrayed himself as the Founder and Pioneer National Chairman of APGA, despite his expulsion from the party years ago.
AYCF in a statement issued by its President General, Auuhy/get nm in I.i k. I. No I hook Alhaji Yerima Shettima said, It is important to clarify that Okorie was suspended by the National Working Committee of APGA in December 2004 and subsequently expelled in January 2005, by the National Executive Council of APGA.
His expulsion was challenged and ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a judgment referenced APGA v. UMEH (2011) 8 NWLR (pt. 1250) 544 on March 21, 2011. Therefore, his claim to be the founder and national chairman of the Party is false and misleading.
Furthermore, Okorie has recently distorted facts to create a false narrative alleging that the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and Chief Victor Ike Oye are in contempt of a ruling of the FCT High Court Bwari delivered on May 10, 2023. However, Okorie contradicts himself by acknowledging that the Court of Appeal has restrained the FCT High Court from proceeding with the contempt proceedings.
It is crucial to note that the Ruling of the FCT High Court Bwari on May 10, 2023, and the subsequent Contempt Ruling of November 9, 2023, are currently subject to two pending appeals at the Court of Appeal: Appeal Nos. CA/ABJ/CV/724/2023 and CA/ABJ/CV/11/69/2023. The FCT High Court Bwari, recognizing the pendency of Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/724/2023, adjourned the purported Contempt Proceedings sine die on November 9, 2023.
On November 28, 2023, the Court of Appeal directed Madugu J. of the FCT High Court to refrain from the pending Contempt Proceedings against the INEC Chairman and Chief Oye, staying the proceedings and issuing an Order of Injunction pending appeal.
This decision was further reinforced on December 14, 2023, when Madugu J. of the FCT High Court heeded the superior authority of the Court of Appeal by dropping the contempt proceedings.
It is absurd for Okorie to label the Chairman of INEC a contemnor and insinuate that he cannot oversee elections and the democratic process in Nigeria while being in contempt of court. If anyone should be considered a contemnor at this moment, it is Okorie himself.
The AYCF firmly dismisses the misrepresentations and false claims made by Okorie in his letter. It is crucial to rely on accurate information and truthful narratives to foster peace and unity in our nation urges the public to disregard Okorie's letter and to seek reliable sources of information to form their opinions.
The AYCF vehemently denounces any form of disrespectful violation of standing judicial processes and calls on the court to invoke its inherent powers to address the contemptuous actions of Okorie, who maliciously distorted facts still pending before the court, and emphasizes the need to deter such acts from setting a dangerous precedent.
By intentionally manipulating and misrepresenting facts related to a case that is yet to be resolved in court, Okorie has demonstrated a grave disregard for the principles of justice and the rule of law.
Okorie's actions are reprehensible, as they cast doubt on the integrity of the legal system and jeopardize the foundation of a fair trial. His actions not only distort facts but also disrespect the court's authority.
The AYCF emphasizes that no individual should be allowed to undermine the judicial process, as it is imperative for maintaining a just society. By invoking its inherent powers, the court can take necessary actions to address this contemptuous act and ensure justice is served.
Failure to address such contemptuous acts risks promoting a culture of impunity and disregarding judicial precedence.
We firmly support the court and implore it to move quickly to protect the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings, while making it clear that contemptuous acts, like those exhibited by Okorie, must not be condoned.
0 Comments