January 24, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed March 23, 2022 to deliver judgement on a suit challenging the defection of former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The suit was filed in August 2020 by the Incorporated Trustees of United Global Resolve for Peace Organisation, through its counsel, Michael Okejimi Esq. of Messrs. Michael Okejimi & Co. Law Empire.
The group sued the former Speaker (1), Peoples Democratic Party (2), All Progressive Congress (3), Speaker of the House of Representatives (4), Independent National Electoral Commission (5); and the Attorney General of the Federation (6).
It had urged the court to declare vacant the seat of Dogara at the House of the Representatives (currently representing Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi state) because he defected from the People’s Democratic Party “which sponsored and provided him the platform to contest his seat as a member of the House of Representatives.”
Okejimi also urged the court to order” INEC to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.”
Dogara defected to the APC on July 24, 2020, citing leadership crisis affecting the PDP particularly in his state.
On Monday, counsels for defendants (except INEC and AGF) challenged the jurisdiction of the court to determine the suit as well as argued that the plaintiff had no right (locus standi) to bring up the case.
On his part, Okejimi Esq told Justice Donatus Okorowo that he had filed a counter affidavit and written address in opposition to their arguments.
Parties adopted their final processes during the proceedings and the judge adjourned for judgement.
