The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay a total of ₦100 million in costs to the court’s Chief Judge, John Tsoho, and Peter Lifu.
Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice Salim Ibrahim granted an oral application filed by counsel for the two judicial officers, directing Ukandu to pay 50 million Naira to each judge within 14 days.
The order came after Justice Ibrahim struck out the suit for want of diligent prosecution, noting that neither the plaintiff nor his legal representative had appeared in court since the matter was assigned to his court.
Ukandu had instituted the suit against the National Judicial Council, Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu, accusing the two judges of bias, abuse of judicial authority, corruption and failure to comply with a court order.
He had asked the court to compel the NJC to investigate the allegations.
The court had earlier warned that the case could be dismissed after the plaintiff repeatedly failed to attend proceedings.
At the previous sitting on June 30, Justice Ibrahim cautioned that the matter would not be allowed to linger without prosecution.
The case is connected to the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, which involves an aggrieved party, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, whose substantive matter is currently pending before Justice Lifu.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
