PDP Protests Cases Always Assigned to Same Judges

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns over the repeated assignment of its cases to justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu, and Mohammed Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a petition dated November 19 and addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, FCT, Justice John Tsoho, the party, through its national secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, expressed unease that most matters involving the PDP—either filed by or against it—have consistently been allocated to these three judges. The party noted that the Abuja division has 12 judges in total, nine of whom could also hear such cases.

The petition highlighted recent rulings that have fueled this concern. Justice Omotosho, in a suit brought by Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanah, and Turnah George—PDP leaders from Imo, Abia, and the South-South zone—restrained the party from proceeding with its national convention, citing violations of the party constitution. Justice Lifu also ordered the convention to be put on hold until former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido obtained a nomination form, agreeing that he had been unjustly excluded from participation.

Despite these orders, the PDP went ahead with its convention, relying on a conflicting ruling from Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court. The differing judgments have contributed to factionalism within the party, with rival blocs aligned with the PDP governors forum and FCT minister Nyesom Wike both claiming leadership.

The petition stated: “It is of great concern that for the past few years, matters involving our party in the Federal High Court, Abuja, have always been assigned to these three judges, while other judges in the division could have presided over such cases. Several party members have expressed serious concern over this scenario, which has raised questions about the perception of fairness in these courts.”

The PDP emphasized that while it has no doubts about the integrity of the judiciary, justice must not only be done but be seen to be done. The party therefore requested that future cases involving it should not be assigned to justices Omotosho, Lifu, or Abdulmalik, stressing that public trust in the judicial process is critical to maintaining confidence in the rule of law.

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