Court slams PDP heavy fine over delays in defection suit against Kebbi lawmakers

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For repeatedly delaying a lawsuit contesting the defection of three members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Federal High Court in Abuja has sanctioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP filed the case before Justice Inyang Ekwo in November 2024 under the filing number FHC/ABJ/CS/1389/2024.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Abubakar Tilli, Hon. Hashimu Usman Hilinboro, and Hon. Umar Na’amore are the defendants in this lawsuit.

The PDP started the lawsuit using Originating Summons, a process meant for cases involving simple and uncontested problems, even though they made grave claims of fraud and requested declaratory reliefs.

Given the intricate and controversial nature of the allegations, the court has repeatedly expressed concerns about the party’s choice of process.

In the early phases of the case, the PDP also requested multiple adjournments, claiming they were ill-prepared.

The PDP was fined N1.4 million by Justice Ekwo on March 3, 2025, who ordered it to pay N150,000 to each of the six defendants and an extra N500,000 in administrative fees.

Justice Ekwo emphasized the significance of careful preparation by legal counsel and cautioned that the court’s time must not be wasted. He also issued a warning against any delays that would prevent justice from being served on time.

The PDP tried to present video evidence at the next hearing date on March 19, 2025.

The action was disputed by defense attorneys, who claimed that the intricacy now required a full trial that included cross-examination and oral testimony.

The objection was upheld by the court, which decided that Originating Summons was no longer an option.

Noting that the case had changed significantly due to the emergence of fresh evidence and fraud charges, Justice Ekwo instructed the PDP to file its pleadings within 14 days and serve them on the defendants.

Even though the 14-day deadline has passed, the PDP has not yet submitted their Statement of Claim as of the time this story was filed.

On May 7, 2025, when proceedings restart, the court is anticipated to take more action.

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