APGA Sacks Senior Advocate P.I.N. Ikwueto as External Solicitor

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, P.I.N. Ikwueto, and his legal firm from representing the party in legal matters.

The termination was conveyed in a letter dated October 8, 2024, titled “Letter of Disengagement as APGA External Solicitor,” signed by APGA’s National Chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku.

Alongside Ikwueto, several other lawyers were also dismissed, including Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, C.I. Mbaeri, Esq., Victor Agunzi, Esq., Tobechukwu Nweke, Esq., Chinedu Eze, Esq., Dr. Obinna Onya, Esq., and Celestine Ezeokeke, Esq., from representing APGA in any case, including Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2024.

The letter accused the legal team of engaging in “calculated, consistent, and concerted efforts to cause a crisis in the party” through actions that amounted to an abuse of the judicial process, including forum shopping and disregarding court judgments.

Chief Edozie Njoku stated that only he, or the National Legal Adviser, Barr. Hamman Buba Ghide, is authorized to engage external solicitors for APGA.

He expressed dismay that Ikwueto and the dismissed lawyers acted on behalf of APGA without proper authorization, particularly in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2024.

The letter referenced previous court rulings, including a Supreme Court judgment that reinstated Njoku as National Chairman and dismissed other claims against him as “forum shopping.”

Njoku also highlighted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had recognized him as the legitimate APGA National Chairman, and his name was published on the official INEC portal.

The NWC concluded the letter by appointing Paul Erokoro, SAN, along with Barristers Michael Ajara and Panam Ntui, as the party’s new external solicitors for Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2024 and other legal matters.