Is Justice For Sale That PDP Is Shopping To Buy? – Abia LP Chairman, Ceekay Igara Writes Chief Judge

The Abia state Labour Party Chairman, Mr Ceekay Igara, has appealed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Abuja, Honourable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, to save Nigeria’s judiciary from ridicule and embarrassment resulting from controversial court judgements.

Igara made the appeal on the heels of the purported sack of the Abia state governor-elect, Dr. Alex Otti by Justice M.N. Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Kano State.

The Labour Party state chairman in his letter dated May 22, 2023, queried if justice has become a commodity that can be bought, for which the “Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Abia State are working very hard to buy from all parts of the country all in a bid to steal the mandate Abians have already given to Otti.

Igara requested the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to “put on notice all Judges of the Federal High Court (FHC) on the desperation to obtain orders of a favourable judge of the FHC to truncate the May 29, 2023 swearing in of Dr. Alex Otti OFR as the Governor of Abia State”.

The letter red partly;

“…..To the shock of the entire nation, the Federal High Court, sitting far away from Abia state in Kano granted orders within a record 11 days which purportedly put our candidates in jeopardy.

“The Federal High Court Kano rightly refused to grant part of the order they sought from the court to declare the runner up the winner of the election.

“Notwithstanding, we have information that the PDP has also vowed to steal the mandate through the courts and are presently shopping around the country for a Federal High Judge willing to be corrupted with money to secure an order in their favour.

We are however appealing that you use your good offices to guard against the demystification of the judiciary. PDP is still boasting and we anticipate many more of this type of suits aimed at truncating the swearing in of Dr. Alex Otti OFR and subverting the will of Abians.

We call on your Lordship; in the interest of justice and preservation of the institution of the Federal High Court to bring to the attention of the noble Lords of the Federal High Courts to be wary of these cases and ensure that the courts do not descend into the murky waters of politics.”

READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW:

The Honourable Chief Judge Federal High Court
Shehu Shagari Way Central Business District Abuja

My Lord
IS JUSTICE FOR SALE? PDP ABIA STATE IS SHOPPING TO BUY.
APPEAL TO SAVE THE JUDICIARY FROM RIDICULE AND EMBARRASSMENT FOLLOWING THE FALLOUT OF SUIT NO: FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 BETWEEN IBRAHIM HARUNA IBRAHIM V LABOUR PARTY AND ANOR;
MEMBERSHIP REGISTER OF THE LABOUR PARTY

The above subject matter refers.

I write, in my capacity as the Chairman of Labour party, Abia State with all humility, to request that your Lordship put on notice all Judges of the Federal High Court (FHC) on the desperation to obtain orders of a favourable judge of the FHC to truncate the swearing in of Dr. Alex Otti OFR as the Governor of Abia State.

Sir, weeks ago, we were alerted that PDP in Abia State was shopping for a judgment to truncate the will of Abia State citizens who voted massively to remove years of mismanagement and usher in new hope for the state by overwhelmingly voting for Labour Party in the state. We contacted our lawyers who advised us that no such thing could happen. They advised that pre election period was over and moreover, petitions had been filed at the election tribunal. Last week the rumors become strong, that a Federal High court Judge in Kano has contracted to give them the order. We still did not believe that.

To the shock of the entire nation, the Federal High Court, sitting far away from Abia state in Kano granted orders within a record 11 days which purportedly put our candidates in jeopardy.

The Federal High Court Kano rightly refused to grant part of the order they sought from the court to declare the runner up the winner of the election. Notwithstanding, we have information that the PDP has also vowed to steal the mandate through the courts and are presently shopping around the country for a Federal High Judge willing to be corrupted with money to secure an order in their favour.

We are still asking our lawyers how Abia State became of interest to the said Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim who is not our member and did not contest any of our primaries or even the main election. They are also yet to explain to us the cause of action in FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 (issue of Register of Members of Labour Party).

We thought this issue was decided by Honourable Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/1743/22 Allied Peoples Movement V INEC and the judgment of that Court has been confirmed by the Court of Appeal in appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/1414/2022. In consequence, the Court of Appeal has a judgment which is binding on Hon. Justice M. N. Yunusa of a lower court. We have left that issue to our lawyers to deal with.

We are however appealing that you use your good offices to guard against the demystification of the judiciary. PDP is still boasting and we anticipate many more of this type of suits aimed at truncating the swearing in of Dr. Alex Otti OFR and subverting the will of Abians.

We call on your Lordship; in the interest of justice and preservation of the institution of the Federal High Court to bring to the attention of the noble Lords of the Federal High Courts to be wary of these cases and ensure that the courts do not descend into the murky waters of politics.

There is no gain reminding your Lordship that the public outcry and opprobrium on the speed of determination of suit FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 and effect is yet to settle, Judges should be put on the alert to avoid more scandals.

Please have the assurance of our highest regard and esteem. Yours Sincerely,

Hon Ceekay Igara Chairman, Labour Party Abia State.

Cc:
The Chairman
National Judiciary Council Three Arm Zone
Abuja