A Federal High Court in Abuja has failed to deliver its judgment earlier scheduled for November 13 in the suit filed by former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.
Lamido is by the suit, seeking among others, to stop the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) planned for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Peter Lifu had on November 11, after taking final arguments from lawyers to parties in the suit, adjourned till November 13 for judgment.
When parties got to court on Thursday, an official of court announced that the judgment was not ready, but that parties would be notified when it is ready.
Justice Life had on November Justice Lifu adjourned till November 13 for judgment after lawyers to parties including Jeph Njikonye, SAN,(for Lamido); Omokayode Dada,SAN, (for the PDP) Joseph Daudu, SAN (for parties joined) made their final submissions.
Earlier before hearing the substantive suit, the judge gave a ruling on a motion filed by Lamido for interim injunctions against defendants in the suit.
In the ruling, Justice Lifu restrained the PDP from proceeding with its planned national convention.
He also restrained the Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before him.
The judge said the orders shall subsist pending the hearing and determination of Lamido’s substantive suit.
Justice Lifu said he was aware of a judgment delivered on October 31 by Justice James Omotosho (also if the Federal High Court, Abuja), stopping PDP from holding the convention.
He held that it would be in the interest of justice to grant Lamido’s request, noting that should the PDP be allowed to proceed with its convention, Lamido would suffer more, thereby making it appropriate for the court to issue preservative orders.
The judge held that evidence produced by the plaintiff revealed that the PDP’s timetable for the convention was not published for the attention of its members as required by law.
He noted that Lamido has undertaken to pay damages to the PDP in the event that his suit was found to be frivolous.
The judge noted that in a constitutional democracy, due process of law must be strictly adhered to by those in charge, adding that to do otherwise, would endanger democracy itself.
He said in line with Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, court of law must not abdicate its responsibility of dispensing justice without fear or favour.
Lamido had, in his motion, argued among others, that if the PDP was not restrained by the court, the party would be violating its constitution, and by implication deny him the opportunity to contest for the position of the national chairman of the party, which he claimed to be eminently qualified to contest.
