PDP logo and court gavel
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the suit on the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until September 22. Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date for a definite hearing of the suit as well as hearing of all motions filed in the suit.
During the resumed hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, U.C Njemanze-Aku, informed the court that the matter was for mention since it was coming up before Justice Umar for the first time. He also told the court that the plaintiff had received a letter from the 5th defendant requesting an adjournment on the grounds that he was already before another court.
The defendants’ counsel represented in court did not oppose the application for adjournment. Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, however, informed the court that the issue currently before the court had been resolved by the Supreme Court, which held that the subject matter before the trial court was the exclusive right of political parties.
“We believe that the Supreme Court’s judgment has resolved the issue before the court,” Erokoro said. “We will bring an application attaching the judgment of the Supreme Court.”
The judge directed all parties to file their responses to the motion for amendment by the plaintiff. “All parties are to file their responses to the motion for amendment, and the motion as well as all objections will be heard on the next adjourned date,” he said.
The case has a complex history, having been earlier fixed for judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo before the plaintiff brought an application for amendment of his original process. The plaintiff, Anyanwu, had originally sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the acting National Chairman of PDP, Umar Damagun, as 1st and 2nd defendants.
After the proceedings, Erokoro expressed hope for an out-of-court settlement of the case, considering that elections were around the corner. “We are hopeful of an out-of-court settlement of the case, considering that elections are around the corner,” he said [1].
