Tiv-Jukun Crisis: Court adjourns suit against panel indefinitely

…returns case file to CJ

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday adjourned indefinitely hearing in the suit challenging the constitution of a panel of inquiry into the Tiv and Jukun tribal clashes in Taraba State.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned indefinitely on the ground that as a vacation judge, his period elapses Thursday, 27th August.
He held that the case file will consequently be remitted to the Chief Judge (CJ), Justice John Tsoho, for further administrative direction in the matter.
The Incorporated Trustees of Mzough U Tiv and five others had dragged the Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku; Chairman of the Panel of Inquiry and former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kumai Aka’ahs; heads of security agencies and others to court over alleged bias composition of the panel.
Other applicants in the suit are: President General, Mzough U Tiv and Rtd CP, Mr Ihiagh Iorbee, Hon. David Uchiv, Hon. Jacob Gbagede, Hon. Julius Kwaghkar and Dr Yakubu Agbidye.
At the last adjourned date, Justice Mohammed summoned the respondents to appear before the court yesterday, to show cause why they should not be restrained from continuing with investigations into the Tiv/Jukun crisis in Taraba State.
When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to the Taraba State governor and the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdul (SAN), informed the court that he had filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection against the suit.
They are contending the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter on the grounds that the suit ought to be heard in Taraba State.
On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, in a separate motion on notice, prayed the court to strike out his name from the list of respondents on the grounds that he had nothing to do with the probe panel.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Sebastine Hon (SAN)prayed the court for a short adjournment for hearing on the matter. He premised on the ground that court processes are yet to be served completely, adding that the matter is on the fundamental right.
Also yesterday, Hon SAN, withdrew the motion on notice seeking an injunction order against the continued sitting by the panel, adding that the motion was withdrawn on the strength of the information that the Justice Kumai Aka’ahs Panel concluded its public hearing on Tuesday, August 25.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed struck out the motion on notice having not been opposed by respondents in the matter.