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An Abuja High Court will on May 30 receive the report of the out-of-court settlement sought by the Peoples Democratic Party in a suit seeking to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking re-election in 2015.
In the suit brought by Mr. Cyriacus Njoku, a member of the PDP in the Zuba Ward of the Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, the court was asked to stop Jonathan from seeking another term in 2015 on the grounds that he (Jonathan) is already in his second term in office, having taken the Oath of Office of President twice.
Jonathan had, in a counter-affidavit filed by his counsel, Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh, asked the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that he is currently in his first term in office.
The President also said he had not announced his intention to run for office in 2015.
However, when the court, presided by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, resumed on Wednesday to hear an application brought by Jonathan’s counsel, seeking an extension of time to file his memorandum of appearance and defence, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr. Ugochukwu Osuagwu, said his client intended to consider an out-of-court proposal initiated by the PDP.
Osuagwu explained that the PDP chapter in Zuba Ward, where the plaintiff is a registered member, proposed the out-of-court settlement.
Before adjourning the matter till May 30 to receive the report of the proposed out-of-court settlement, Oniyangi struck out the defence counsel’s application for extension of time to file his defence and appearance.
The application was struck out after it was withdrawn by the defence counsel, following the judge’s explanation that it would not be allowed by the court.
He said, “Some of my colleagues at the highest echelon of the PDP and top shots in the Zuba Ward approached me to see if we can resolve the case out of court, the plaintiff told reporters after court season.”
Asked if he did not inform the party about the suit before, Njoku said, “I am here in my personal capacity.”
He stressed that he would not withdraw the case until the matter was finally resolved.
“I am not withdrawing the matter; it is more of a constitutional issue,” he said.
Culled from The Punch.
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