The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) House of Assembly aspirant for Khana State Constituency I, Legborsi Nwiabu, following his decision to withdraw the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Turaki, struck out the matter after counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Beragbara, informed the court that his client had decided to discontinue the suit against the ADC, its candidate for Khana State Constituency I, Bright Nulee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
When the matter came up for hearing, Beragbara made an oral application to withdraw the suit on behalf of his client, explaining that the decision followed the intervention of the party’s reconciliation committee in Rivers State. The application was not opposed by counsel to the defendants, although INEC’s counsel requested that costs be awarded.
Beragbara told the court that Nwiabu acknowledged the reconciliation efforts of the Chairman of the ADC Board of Trustees, Chief Ralph Nwosu, the party’s governorship candidate, Gabriel Pidomson, and the Chairman of the ADC Reconciliation Committee, Emma Chindah, whose interventions influenced his decision to discontinue the case.
At the previous adjourned sitting, counsel to the ADC, Emenike Ebete, had informed the court that the party had constituted a reconciliation committee to resolve disputes arising from its primaries and sought leave to settle the matter out of court, a request granted by the court.
In his ruling, Justice Turaki granted the plaintiff’s application, dismissed the suit and awarded ₦50,000 in costs in favour of INEC.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Beragbara said his client’s decision reflected his commitment to the unity and overall interest of the party above personal ambition.
Counsel to the ADC, the second respondent, and INEC declined to comment on the court proceedings.
