Judiciary
THE leading pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, HURIWA, says that the leadership conflict within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party should be handled in line with due process of the law by the Court of Appeal, bearing in mind that whatever verdict that emanates from Court will either make or mar opposition politics in the country or can lead to the rebuilding or destruction of the party.
The group in a statement said: “HURIWA is convinced that the Court of Appeal of Nigeria has the opportunity of a lifetime to give a decision in the leadership contests within the opposition PDP that would be fair, just and equitable. The members of the civil society community in Nigeria are watching to see what kind of judgment would be read out whenever the panelists invite the contending politicians back to the court for the judgment.
“There are two options that would follow the judgment of the Court of Appeal and also the highest court in Nigeria which is the Supreme Court of Nigeria if a further appeal is instituted. These options are either to give a well-intentioned, well-considered, just, fair and transparent judgment that would help to rebuild the party supported by the few governors that the All Progressives Congress haven’t succeeded in poaching away.
The ball is in the court of the Appellate court.”
HURIWA recalled that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had reserved judgment in the nine appeals filed by the two feuding factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in relation to decisions of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A three-member panel of the appellate court made the announcement after lawyers for the parties in the appeals adopted their briefs and made final submissions.
The court said parties would be informed when the judgments are ready.
The appeals are principally against the decisions by Justices James Omotosho, Joyce Abdulmalik, and Peter Lifu of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
Justices Omotosho and Lifu restrained the PDP from proceeding with the national convention scheduled for Ibadan on November 15 and 16, Oyo State on the grounds that the party failed to comply with necessary legal provisions.
Justice Omotosho’s judgment was on the suit by three aggrieved members of the party, namely, Hon Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South)
Justice Life’s judgment was on the suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who claimed to have been denied the right to contest the party’s chairmanship seat at the convention.
On Thursday, the lawyer to the appellants, including Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court to allow the appeals filed by his clients and set aside the judgments appealed against.
Lawyers to the respondents, including Joseph Daudu, SAN, urged the court to reject the appeal and affirmed the decisions of the Federal High Court.
Tags: Chris Uche HURIWA Joseph Daudu Joyce Abdulmalik Justices James Omotosho PDP Peoples Democratic Party
