PDP petitions CJ, alleges pattern in assignment of its cases to three Abuja judges

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns over a “recurring pattern” in the assignment of its cases to three judges of the federal high court in Abuja.

In a petition dated November 19, Taofeek Arapaja, national secretary of the PDP, wrote to John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, expressing unease over the repeated allocation of the party’s matters to James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Mohammed Abdulmalik.

The faction of the party led by Kabiru Turaki, said its observation covers cases it filed as well as suits initiated against it.

The complaint comes amid increasing legal battles over the PDP’s recent national convention, which has deepened internal divisions.

Recently, Omotosho issued an order stopping its convention in response to a suit filed by Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanah and Turnah George, who challenged the party’s compliance with its constitution.

Lifu also halted preparations for the convention after agreeing with Sule Lamido, former Jigawa governor, that he was unfairly prevented from obtaining the nomination form for the national chairmanship race.

Despite these order, the PDP proceeded with the convention based on a counter-ruling issued by Ladiran Akintola, a judge at the Oyo high court.

The contradictory orders have resulted in further fragmentation within the opposition party, with blocs aligned to the PDP governors’ forum and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), insisting on controlling the party structure.

In the petition, Arapaja wrote that he was acting “with the instruction and authority of the PDP national chairman of , the  and the entire members of the newly-elected national working committee (NWC) and the national executive committee (NEC)”.

‘COURTS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’

He added that the three courts had become, in the eyes of party members, “courts of particular concern” regarding disputes involving the PDP.

“Even though there are other Judges numbering up to nine in the Abuja Judicial Division, who could have taken up any of these matters, as the Abuja Division has 12 Judges,” the petition reads.

“Several of our party members have recently complained bitterly to the newly elected members of the national working committee and the national executive committee of the above-mentioned scenario.

“Indeed, all these three courts are viewed by party members and indeed the public as ‘courts of particular concern with regard to matters pertaining to or affecting the interest of the PDP.

“My lord, it is trite that justice must not only be done in all cases and circumstances with regard to matters pending and matters filed in the court of law, but justice must be seen to be done indeed by reasonable members of the society including the members of our Party.

“Given the current challenges facing the Party, there is high likelihood of cases being filed for or against the party.

“It is in this respect that we humbly plead and beg that in no other matters or circumstances with regard to cases that may be filed by or against our party henceforth should be assigned to any of these three Judges, since justice is rooted in trust and integrity.”

Arapaja added that the PDP maintains its confidence in the judiciary but felt compelled to outline the “fears and apprehension” of its members over the matter.