The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has affirmed that the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the right to appoint its own legal counsel without interference from the party’s National Legal Adviser.
This ruling was issued by Justice Mohammed Obile following a suit filed by Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, the National Legal Adviser of the PDP. Ajibade challenged the authority of the PDP’s Rivers State legal adviser to appoint legal representation in a case involving the Boot Party.
The Boot Party had sought to declare the seats of Martin Amaewhule and 27 others vacant after their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP had applied to be joined in this case.
The Rivers State chapter of the PDP had appointed Joshua Musa SAN to represent them. However, Ajibade also appeared in court, asserting that, as the National Legal Adviser, he was responsible for defending the party and its candidates in court. Ajibade objected to Musa’s appearance, arguing that the state chapter lacked the authority to appoint legal representation without national approval.
Justice Obile ruled that Ajibade did not have the authority to challenge Musa’s appointment. The court restrained Ajibade from denying the state legal adviser the right to appoint legal representation. All objections filed by Ajibade were struck out, and the court awarded a cost of ₦100,000 against him.
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