Court Dismisses Bias Suit, Orders ADC Chieftain To Pay FHC Chief Judge Justice Lifu ₦100 Million

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkemakolam Ukandu, and ordered him to pay a total of ₦100 million to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu.

Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling on Monday after dismissing the case for lack of diligent prosecution. The court further directed that Ukandu must pay ₦50 million each to Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu within 14 days.

The decision followed an oral application moved by counsel to the two judges, J.U.K. Igwe (SAN), who urged the court to strike out the matter.

Ukandu had instituted the suit against the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho, and Justice Lifu, alleging bias, corruption, abuse of judicial authority, and disobedience to a court order. He had also sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate the allegations against the judicial officers.

However, the court noted that neither Ukandu nor his counsel had appeared in court since the matter was assigned to Justice Ibrahim, despite earlier warnings that the case could be dismissed if there was continued absence.

The dispute is linked to the ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC, involving party member Nafiu-Bala Gombe, whose related case is currently before Justice Lifu. Gombe is seeking an order restraining the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party from parading themselves as party executives.

Ukandu, who attempted to join the suit, had accused the two judges of bias and also challenged the reassignment of the case to Justice Lifu after it was withdrawn from Justice Emeka Nwite, alleging violations of Supreme Court directives and prior court orders.