Court Fixes Date For Hearing
The Federal High Court in Abuja has set September 22 as the date to hear a suit aimed at resolving the dispute over the legitimate National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The suit, filed by the embattled National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, initially named the Independent National Electoral Commission and the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagun, as the 1st and 2nd defendants, respectively, in the suit.
In the ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, dated and filed on February 13, Anyanwu, through his lawyer Ken Njemanze (SAN), sought an interim injunction restraining INEC from accepting, acting on, or giving effect to any correspondence from the PDP not signed by him, pending the hearing and determination of a motion for an interlocutory injunction.
He also requested an interim injunction restraining Damagun from submitting correspondence to INEC purportedly emanating from the PDP and signed by the acting chairman without his countersignature.
The court, however, declined to grant the requested relief through an ex parte application, stating that it was necessary to hear from the defendants before making any orders.
Subsequently, the PDP and Mr Udeh-Okoye applied to be joined as parties in the suit, which the court approved, making them the 3rd and 4th defendants, respectively.
The National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the PDP, Ali Odela, and the party’s Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, were also joined as the 5th and 6th defendants, respectively.
After hearing arguments from the legal representatives of the parties, the trial judge initially presiding over the case, Justice Inyang Ekwo, fixed judgment for March 25.
However, before the judgment could be delivered, Anyanwu submitted an application seeking to amend the originating process to address the issue for determination.
The court subsequently adjourned to May 19 to hear the motion, which was opposed by other parties in the case.
The case was later reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar for determination.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Justice Umar, presiding over the matter for the first time, scheduled a definite hearing for September 22, based on the agreement of the parties.
Anyanwu was represented by U.C. Njemanze-Aku, while Paul Erokoro (SAN) represented Udeh-Okoye, and Paul-Harris Ogbole (SAN) represented the PDP.
During the proceedings, Njemanze-Aku informed the court that the matter was originally slated for mention and that the plaintiff had received a letter from the 5th defendant requesting an adjournment until September.
Njemanze-Aku told the court that while they are not against the request for adjournment, they would appreciate a shorter date from the court, suggesting July.
She said, “My Lord, the matter is for mention today. We have received an e-letter of adjournment written to this court by the fifth defendant.”
Other parties present in court supported the plaintiff’s position for a shorter hearing date, aligning with July.
However, Erokoro informed the judge that the matter had already been resolved by the Supreme Court, which held that the subject was the exclusive domain of political parties, as argued by the plaintiff.
He added that he would be bringing an application wherein he intends to attach the judgment of the Supreme Court.
He said, “My Lord, this matter actually went to the Supreme Court. It has been to the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court agreed that the court has no jurisdiction in the matter.
“The same plaintiff who argued that the court has no jurisdiction is now the one who brought us here.”
Responding to the submissions of the parties, Justice Umar directed all parties to file their responses to Anyanwu’s motion for amendment.
On the suggestion of July to be fixed as the next hearing date, the court couldn’t find a convenient date that suited it and all the parties involved and resolved that all the motions and objections would be heard on September 22.
