* Calls on Soludo, Oye, others to join in rebuilding party
Alex Enumah in Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Bwari, Abuja, has discharged and acquitted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Edozie Njoku, of allegations bordering on forgery and impersonation as the party’s National Chairman.
Justice Mohammed Madugu, in a judgment, freed the national chairman from all 14 counts of criminal charge preferred against him and APGA’s National Youth Leader, Chukwuemeka Nwoga, by the Inspector General of Police (IG), for want of credible evidence.
According to the judge, the prosecution “failed woefully” both in its oral and documentary evidence to show that Njoku had forged a judgment of the Supreme Court, as well as a letter from Justice Mary Peter-Odili (rtd) wherein he was addressed as APGA’s National Chairman.
The police had, in their 14-count charge, accused the defendants of forging a judgment of the apex court, a letterhead of former Justice of the Supreme Court, APGA’s letterhead paper, as well as unlawfully presenting himself as the party’s national chairman.
But, in his judgment, Justice Madugu dismissed all the 14-count charge, stating that the police failed to prove its allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
While the court in one count, held that the police failed to prove that the said judgment of the apex court was forged, in another count, Justice Madugu held that: “There is nothing before the court to show that the letter did not emanate from Justice Peter-Odili (rtd).”
Besides, the court held that the police failed to establish the ingredients of forgery, when they did not produce the alleged forged letter or a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the letter.
According to the court, Njoku acted in line with the directive of the apex court which had asked him to apply to the court for correction of a slip in its judgment of 2021.
Justice Madugu subsequently discharged the defendants from the forgery allegations which he said were not based on credible evidence.
“In accordance with section 178 of the penal code, the prosecution did not establish any dishonest intent following the letter Chief Njoku wrote to Justice Mary Peter Odilli, retired,” the court held.
In discharging him from another count where the police had accused Njoku of impersonation and presenting himself as National Chairman of APGA, Justice Madugu, while recognizing the internal crisis in the APGA, acknowledged that Njoku had emerged chairman of the party from the Owerri convention of the party.
Besides, the court noted that the apex court, in the judgment the police claimed was forged, was correct to reflect Njoku’s name as APGA’s National Chairman.
In addition, the court pointed out that the police did not lead credible evidence to prove Njoku was not APGA’s National Chairman, nor contradicted his submissions in his defence.
In totality, the court held that due to “lack of sufficient and credible evidence, the prosecution has failed woefully to prove its case against the defendants.
“I find the 1st defendant, Chief Edozie Njoku, and the 2nd defendant, Chukwuma Nwoga, not guilty as charged, and therefore they have been discharged and acquitted”.
Meanwhile, speaking shortly after the judgment, an elated Njoku thanked God for the positive end of the case, stating that with their discharge and acquittal, they have been vindicated from the police allegations, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that has refused to recognize him as APGA’s National Chairman because of the court case.
While calling on INEC to do the needful by listing his name as APGA’s National Chairman, he wondered if the electoral umpire has any vested interest in the party or is being used as an instrument to destroy APGA.
He however, called on the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, Victor Oye and other members of the party to join him in building the party.
Njoku also promised to run an all inclusive administration, assuring them that his doors are wide open to accommodate anyone with the interest of the party at heart.
