The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered accelerated hearing in a suit filed by Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, against the National Judicial Council, NJC, the President of the Court of Appeal, and the Attorney General of the Federation AGF, over alleged injustice in the recent appointment of some justices to the Court of Appeal.
In the suit, the plaintiff through their counsel, Max Ozoakar argued that the southeast zone is rightfully entitled to three slots in direct replacement for the three vacancies in the on-going exercise for the appointment of Justices of the Court of Appeal.
The vacancies according to Max Ozoakar followed the retirement and death respectively of two Justices of the Court from the zone and the earlier elevation to the Supreme Court of one Justice from the zone in 2020.
They want the Court to determine some hidden constitutional questions bothering on Section 14 of the Constitution, inter alia, and a declaration that the southeast zone is entitled to three new slots in the on-going exercise of appointment of the Justices of the Court of Appeal.
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There was an order by the court restraining the defendants from continuing the on-going exercise of appointment.
Justice Inyang Ekwo while giving his ruling directed that all processes relating to the suit should be served on all the parties as they were not represented in court at Monday’s proceedings.
He accordingly ordered an abridgement of time and ordered the defendants to file their responses to the suit within five days upon receipt of service.
The president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was however represented in court by Yakubu Maikyau .
The hearing has been adjourned to April 8, 2021.
(Editor: Abaje Usewke)
