The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed worry over repeated assignment of its cases to Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Mohammed Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
The party in a petition addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, FCT, Justice John Tsoho, dated November 19 and signed by its National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, expressed displeasure over the fixation on the three judges on matters either filed by the PDP or brought against it.
Recall that Justice Omotosho, in a ruling recently on a suit brought before him by Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanah, and Turnah George, the Imo, Abia State Chairmen and South-South Zonal Secretary of the PDP, respectfully, restrained the party from proceeding with its national elective convention, citing the failure to abide by the party’s rules as stipulated in its constitution.
Similarly, Justice Lifu directed the PDP to put the convention on hold until Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, procured a nomination form to contest for the Office of the National Chairman of the party.
Lifu agreed with Lamido’s submission that he was unjustly excluded from participating in the convention.
These orders notwithstanding, the party went ahead with the convention, relying on the court order of Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.
The conflicting rulings have since led to the factionalisation of the main opposition party, as rival blocs loyal to the PDP Governors Forum and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, continue to lay claims to the authentic leadership of the party.
The petition read, “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.
“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.”
The petition further stated 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
