The internal crisis rocking the
All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new dimension as Babatunde Ogala,
national legal adviser of the party, has accused Adams Oshiomhole of hijacking
his office.
In an internal memo dated
November 6 and addressed to Oshiomhole, Ogala accused the
national chairman of denigrating the party’s legal department.
This is coming weeks after
Oshiomhole fell out with some governors over the outcome of the party’s primary
elections across the country.
He was invited by the Department
of State Services (DSS) based on allegations of bribery levelled against him.
While the chairman has denied the
allegations, the opposition has taken advantage of it, calling on anti-graft
agencies to probe Oshiomhole.
In the memo, Ogala said since he
became the party’s legal adviser on June 25, his department has not been
funded.
He alleged that Oshiomhole had
sidelined him and refused to consult him over issues his office are supposed to
handle.
“I am constrained to put this
memo and complaint in writing in the light of the repeated acts of usurpation
and deliberate encroachment on my office and attempt to undermine my person,”
Ogala said.
“You will recall that you have
previously done this in two previous matters wherein you had purportedly
without recourse to me briefed the Law Firm of D. D. Dodo & Co. in Suit No:
FCT/HC/CV/9265/2018. Ugwumba Uche Nwosu Vs. APC & 1or. and you also without
recourse to us debriefed the law firm of Adeniyi Akintola. SAN who had been
briefed by the office of Legal Adviser.
“As if that was not enough, you
procured a secretary in your office to depose an affidavit on behalf of the
party wherein the deponent lied on oath that he had the authority of the party
on depose to the said affidavit.
“The motion filed by the Law Firm
of D. D. Dodo & Co. also told a lie that processes was served on the Legal
Department in a certain suit No: FCT/HC/BW/CV/ 307/2018. Senator Hope Uzodinma
vs APC & 2ors but that same was not brought to your notice.
“This was an assertion that was
false in every material particular and an attempt to denigrate the legal
department and my office as no such process were never served on the legal department.”
He said the chairman on an
earlier occasion had apologised to him after he protested the encroachment into
his office.
“When I became aware of this
aberration and falsity, upon your raising same at the National Working
Committee meeting, I vehemently protested same and took serious exception to
the encroachment whilst vowing to resist same,” he wrote.
“I also quoted copiously from the
party constitution which clearly defines the duties of the national legal
adviser and that of the chairman.”
“You accepted and did apologize
to me at the meeting and I honestly believed that lessons have been learnt and
moved on. You also subsequently called me on phone to meet you at the airport
In Lagos for us to further mend the fences, after the intervention of our
National Leader. I gave you the honour and assured you that all was over and
moved on.
“However to my consternation. my
office was served with a Memorandum of Appearance in Suit no:
FHC/ABJ/CS/1107/2018. Senator Osita Izunaso & 2ors vs. INEC & 2ors.
wherein the Law Firm of D. D. Dodo & Co. Is purporting to enter appearance
for the All Progressives Congress (APC) In a matter that the Legal Department
did not give them any such brief.
“We Immediately responded by
writing a letter to the firm to let them know that we have no record of the
brief to represent the party in the suit. They have since responded that they
were briefed by one Godwin Yakwe who Is not a staff of the Legal Department.”
The legal adviser said the latest
attempt to usurp his office was a move by Oshiomhole using Ibrahim Masari,
national welfare secretary.
“I had received a soft copy of a
purported affidavit in support of a motion on Notice in a matter filed at the
federal high court, Abuja between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.
“The said affidavit was deposed
by Ibrahim Kabir Masari, the national welfare secretary and purporting to have
the authority of the national working committee.
“It was therefore to my
consternation, shock and surprise that I stumbled on the affidavit deposed to
by the national welfare secretary purporting to act on behalf of the NWC. I was
elected to protect the party constitution, and not have same disobeyed by will,
I will not shirk the responsibility.”
The latest crisis is coming three
months to the general election and at a time the ruling party ought to be
focused on the campaigns which kicked off on Sunday in line with the schedule
of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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