APC Calls for Court Investigation into Alleged Document Tampering in Agada’s Case

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has submitted a motion (No: MHC/1915m/2024) to the Benue State High Court, requesting an investigation into the unexpected appearance of a counsel’s signature on the originating process in a case involving Austin Agada and the party. Continue Reading>>>

The motion asks the Chief Registrar to conduct an inquiry and provide a report on how the counsel’s signature appeared on the originating process. Additionally, the APC is seeking to stay proceedings in the case until the inquiry and report are concluded.

During a court session on Tuesday, APC’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, stated that the purpose of the application is to restore integrity to the court process, emphasizing that the unsigned originating document had been altered.

The APC had previously secured a certified true copy (CTC) of the unsigned document and filed a preliminary objection challenging the suit’s validity.

Burkaa argued that the counter affidavit opposing the application, submitted by Austin Agada, should be dismissed, as Agada, who is not a legal representative in the case, lacks the authority to provide evidence regarding the signing of the originating process at the time it was filed.

Counsel for the 2nd Respondent, Ishaka M. Dikko, SAN, supported the APC’s motion, stating that as a member of the legal profession, he could not oppose an application that seeks to uphold judicial integrity. Continue Reading>>>

In contrast, Agada’s counsel, Eyitayo Fatogun, SAN, opposed the application, adopting his counter affidavit and written submission. Fatogun argued that the motion was irrelevant since the original originating process had already been amended by a court order.

After considering the arguments, Justice T. A. Kume adjourned the case to October 23 for a ruling on the application.