A drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday as three senior advocates unexpectedly appeared to represent Ambassador Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in a legal battle over the conduct of congresses in the Rivers State chapter of the PDP.
When the case was called on Thursday, a tense situation arose as K.C.O. Njemanze, SAN, announced his appearance for the plaintiffs, followed by Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, and Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, who both stood up simultaneously to represent the 1st to 4th defendants—comprising the PDP, Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and National Organizing Secretary Hon. Umar Bature.
The case traces back to last month when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court issued an order restraining the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies from interfering with the ward, local government, and state congresses of the PDP scheduled for July 27, 2024.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned to August 15, 2024, to deliberate on the matter brought by six supporters of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The court, aiming to maintain order, instructed Orbih to speak first, followed by Ajibade. However, the situation grew more complicated when yet another senior advocate, Sunday Ameh, also announced his representation for the same defendants.
To prevent further confusion, Justice Lifu urged the senior advocates to resolve the issue among themselves. Following this, Orbih requested a brief adjournment to allow them to sort out the matter.
With no objections from the other counsels, the court granted the adjournment, setting the next hearing for August 30.
“The justice of this case demands an adjournment and consequent upon the agreement of counsel, this matter is adjourned till August 30, for a final report on the counsel representing the 1st to 4th respondents, sequel to a meeting to be so held,” said Justice Lifu.
He added that if the meeting failed to resolve the issue, the senior lawyers would need to file a motion with affidavits proving they were legitimately engaged by the parties in the suit.
The judge also extended his previous ex-parte order restraining the PDP and security agencies from interfering with the Rivers State congresses until the main suit could be heard.
Due to the case’s delay, the court could not address an application from several individuals seeking to join as defendants.
These applicants, represented by Chief D.O. Okoro, SAN, included notable figures like David Omereji, Prince Solomon Eke, Isoboye Tobin, and others. During Thursday’s proceedings, Okoro drew the court’s attention to the pending motion for a joinder.
The six PDP members who filed the initial ex-parte application are Hon Aaron Chukwuemeka, Dr. Benibo George, Solomon Ogbonna, Lenebari Inaania, Enia Harris, and ThankGod Owhorji.
The defendants in the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/106/12014, include the PDP, Damagum, Anyanwu, Bature, INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police of Rivers State, and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) and DSS.
Last month, Justice Sobere Hambo issued a separate ruling, temporarily restraining the PDP and three national executives from conducting the planned congresses until the determination of a motion already filed.
However, in a later ruling, Justice Lifu ordered the PDP and its national officers to proceed with the congresses, emphasizing the need to adhere strictly to the party’s guidelines and adjusted timetable.
Justice Lifu also placed a restriction on the PDP and its officers from allowing any individuals who failed to obtain nomination or forms within the stipulated time frame to run for elective office within the party.
He ordered the plaintiffs to provide a fresh undertaking to indemnify the defendants, should the court later determine it was misled into granting the restraining orders. The damages, if awarded, would be assessed by the court.
