A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay ₦100 million in damages for filing a suit against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu.
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling after striking out the suit for want of diligent prosecution, citing the repeated absence of Ukandu and his counsel despite several opportunities to prosecute the case.
The court awarded ₦50 million in damages to Justice Tsoho and another ₦50 million to Justice Lifu, directing that the total sum of ₦100 million be paid within 14 days.
Ukandu had sued the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu, alleging judicial bias, abuse of judicial powers and corruption. He also sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate the two judges over their handling of matters relating to the leadership crisis within the ADC.
The suit stemmed from an internal dispute involving party member Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the party’s leadership. Ukandu had objected to the reassignment of the case to Justice Lifu after the elevation of the former trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, to the Court of Appeal.
In its ruling, the court held that the suit was not diligently prosecuted and granted the application by counsel to the defendants for substantial costs against the plaintiff, describing the award as appropriate in the circumstances. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
