The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Turaki has filed a motion asking Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to withdraw from a suit challenging the party’s leadership, arguing that her continued involvement threatens their right to a fair hearing.
The suit was originally filed by the camp loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, with its acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, leading the action.
However, the Turaki-led faction, through a motion submitted by senior lawyer Chris Uche SAN, is seeking fresh orders from the court, beginning with a request that Justice Abdulmalik recuse herself due to what they described as “reasonable apprehension” of bias.
They are also asking that the matter be reassigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to another judge.
Uche argued that Section 36(1) of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen an impartial tribunal.
He said his clients believe this cannot be achieved given how the case has so far been handled.
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He pointed out that the 5th to 25th defendants had earlier written to the Chief Judge objecting to cases concerning PDP disputes being assigned to Justice Abdulmalik and two other judges because of what they termed past “antecedents” and perceived partisanship.
According to him, “Notwithstanding the said letters, His Lordship proceeded to preside over this suit, thereby raising a legitimate apprehension that the 5th to 25th defendants/applicants may not receive a fair, impartial and unbiased consideration of their case.”
Uche also questioned the ex parte orders granted on 25 November, arguing that the format resembled previous rulings by another judge in similar PDP disputes.
He said the orders touched on the core issues of the suit despite there being no urgent grounds to justify such an action.
Meanwhile, the plaintiffs, represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, are seeking enforcement of earlier rulings and injunctions against the Turaki faction.
With parties yet to be fully served, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the suit to 14 January 2026 and a related case to 16 January 2026, directing all counsel to file their processes before the new dates.