A Kogi State High Court sitting in Kabba has restored Abejide Joseph as chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ijumu local government chapter.
Justice S. Zubayru ruled on the suit filed by Abejide on Friday.
It will be recalled that the claimant, Mr. Abejide Joseph emerged as Chairman of PDP in Ijumu L.G.A following the congress of the party that held on the 5th of October, 2021.
However, his name was replaced and substituted with that of the 2nd respondent; Mr. Samuel Olabode Olorunmaiye by the 1st defendant at the national secretariat of the party. Senator Dino Melaye was accused of influencing the substitution.
Aggrieved with this sad and unjust treatment, Abejide, through his counsels, Nyizo Guma, Esq and C.O. Ademola, Esq had approached the Kogi State High Court sitting in Kabba Judicial Division vide an originating summons where they sought before the Court 10 reliefs and raised 5 questions for the determination of the court.
Upon close of pleadings, the case was settle down for hearing. All counsels in the case adopted their processes and proffered arguments in support of same. The case was thereafter adjourned for Judgement on the 28th day of April, 2023.
The Honourable Judge, Hon. Justice S. Zubayru in a well researched and considered judgement delivered on Friday agreed with the submission of counsel to the claimant that the court has jurisdiction to hear and entertain the case. He thereafter dismissed the notice of preliminary objection of the 2nd Defendant and proceeded to decide the case on the merit.
The Honourable Judge, in agreement with the submission of the claimant’s counsel, answered all questions raised in favour of the claimant and granted all reliefs sought by the claimant in the originating summons.
Part of the reliefs are:
1. That the Claimant is the lawful Chairman of PDP in Ijumu L.G.A and his four years tenure starts running from the date of the Judgment.
2. That the 2nd Defendant’s has from today ceased from being the Chairman of PDP in Ijumu L.G.A.
3. That PDP and INEC; being the 3rd Respondent has been mandated to recognize the Claimant as the lawful Chairman of PDP in Ijumu L.G.A henceforth and accord him all his rights, benefits, entitlement and privileges that goes with his office.
4. That the 2nd Defendant has been compelled by an order of perpetual injunction to stop parading, functioning or presenting himself as the Chairman of PDP in Ijumu L.G.A. henceforth.
5. All the Defendants has been compelled via an order of perpetual injunction to cease from dealing with, recognizing or according any rights, benefits, entitlements or privileges to the 2nd Defendant as the Chairman of PDP in Ijumu L.G.A.
Reacting to the court ruling, Abejide told reporters that “with this Judgement, the judiciary has proven once again that she is the last hope of a common man and that justice is not for sale.
“This is a victory for democracy, the rule of law, the judiciary and the society at large.”
