The Peoples Democratic Party has raised concern over the repeated assignment of its court cases to Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Mohammed Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
The party conveyed its frustration in a petition addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
The letter, dated November 19 and signed by its National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, noted what it described as a persistent pattern in the handling of matters involving the PDP.
Justice Omotosho recently restrained the party from holding its national elective convention after ruling on a suit filed by Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanah and Turnah George, who serve as the Imo and Abia State Chairmen and South South Zonal Secretary of the PDP, respectively. Omotosho held that the party failed to comply with its own constitutional rules.
Justice Lifu also ordered the PDP to halt the convention until former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido obtained a nomination form to contest for National Chairman. Lifu accepted Lamido’s argument that he was unfairly barred from the process.
Although these orders were in force, the PDP proceeded with the convention, relying on a counter ruling issued by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.
The divergent court decisions have since deepened the party’s internal crisis. Competing factions loyal to the PDP Governors Forum and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, now assert rival claims to the party’s leadership.
In its petition, the party stated, “I have the instruction and authority of the National Chairman of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party and the entire members of the newly-elected National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of our party to write this letter to Your Lordship concerning our fear and apprehension regarding all matters either filed by our party or against our party at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.”
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The petition continued, “My Lord, it is of great concern to our party that it would appear that all matters for the past few years filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, either for or against our party, have always been assigned to the following three judges only, namely: Hon Justice James Omotosho, Hon Justice Peter Lifu and Hon Justice Mohammed Abdulmalik, even though there are other judges numbering up to nine in the Abuja Judicial Division, who could have taken up any of these matters, as the Abuja Division has 12 judges.”
It added that “Several party members have recently complained bitterly to the newly elected members of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the above-mentioned scenario.”
The petition further noted that “Indeed, all these three courts are viewed by party members and indeed the public as ‘courts of particular concern’ with regard to matters pertaining to or affecting the interest of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The PDP also pointed out, “My Lord, it is trite that justice must not only be done in all cases and circumstances with regard to matters pending and matters filed in the court of law, but justice must be seen to be done indeed by reasonable members of society, including the members of our party.”
The petition urged the Chief Judge to intervene, stating, “Given the current challenges facing the party, there is a high likelihood of cases being filed for or against the party.
“It is in this respect that we humbly plead and beg that in no other matters or circumstances with regard to cases that may be filed by or against our party henceforth should be assigned to any of these three judges, since justice is rooted in trust and integrity.”
The party stressed that it still holds confidence in the judiciary, adding, “Our party wishes to reiterate the fact that we have no iota of doubt with regard to the integrity of the judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, headed by Your Lordship in dispensing justice in all cases, other than the above-highlighted fears and apprehension of our party.”