The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has explained why it withdrew its lawsuit against the Nigeria Police over the blockade of its national secretariat, citing concerns over judicial impartiality at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Friday, January 23, the party said it filed a notice of discontinuance in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which sought an order compelling the police to vacate the party’s secretariat and hand it over to what it described as “the legitimately elected leadership of the party.”
According to the statement, the case was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, despite the PDP having earlier written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, expressing “our doubt and complete lack of faith in their capacity to fairly dispense justice in matters where PDP is involved” with respect to three judges, including Abdulmalik.
The party disclosed that it formally applied for the judge to step aside.
However, it objected to her handling of the application.
“Rather than do the needful which is to take the motion, and rule on it, the Judge ruled that she will manage the case in a way convenient for her,” the statement said, adding that the approach undermined the party’s right to fair hearing.
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The PDP explained that it acted within the rules in withdrawing the suit.
“We filed a notice of discontinuance as provided for in Order 50 Rule 2(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019,” the party stated, noting that the withdrawal was made within three days of receiving the last defendant’s statement of defence.
However, the party expressed further concern after the court dismissed, rather than struck out, the case.
“This again exacerbates our party’s subsisting fear about the impartiality of the court,” the statement said.
While affirming respect for the judiciary, the PDP warned against political interference, quoting late Justice Niki Tobi, who cautioned that judges must not “dance to the music played by politicians.”
“It is our prayer that politics and justice do not meet and that our judges do not dance to the drumbeats of politicians,” the party concluded.