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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court (FHC), has fixed April 20, to deliver judgment in a suit filed by Sir Siminlalayi Fubara, Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governor-elect and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu, over alleged plan by the party to suspend them for judgment.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date after Fubara’s counsel, Dr. Joshua Musa, SAN, and Mr. Johnson Usman, SAN, who represented the PDP and its executives, adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.
Justice Ekwo also fixed April 20 for judgment in a suit filed by the Cross Rivers PDP governorship candidate, Sen. Sandy Onor, and his running mate, Ambrose Emana, against the party and its executives over allegations bordering on planned suspension.
In a related development, the judge fixed the same date for a ruling on a motion moved by Musa, seeking an order to amend their originating summons in another suit filed by the Rivers PDP Chairman, Amb. Desmond Akawo against the party, which was opposed to by Usman.
Akawo had sued the PDP, its National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Upon resumed hearing on Friday, Usman informed the court that the PDP wrote a letter to the Chief Judge (CJ) of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, asking that the case be reassigned to another judge.
The senior lawyer said that Justice Ekwo was copied in the letter. He said the letter, dated March 14, was received by the CJ on March 15. The PDP letter prayed Justice Tsoho for the transfer of all the three cases currently before Justice Ekwo and its other cases to other judges. The party cited loss of confidence and bias as grounds for the application.
But Musa opposed the application, saying he was unaware of such letter.
