By A’isha Biola Raji
The absence of Justice Gabriel Kolawole yesterday stalled the proceeding against independent National electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the latter’s refusal to register Democratic People’s Congress as a political party.
The matter had however been adjourned to 21stJanuary, 2015 for hearing on notice to show cause why order of committal should not be made against Prof. Jega, pursuant to order 35 Rules 1,2 and 3 of the Federal High Court rules 2009, and section 6(60a and (b) constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
The plaintiffs, rev. Olusegun Peters, Okoye Finbarr, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Khalil and Dioji Chidinma, through their counsel, Ezekiel Vem Ofou, sought an order of Court committing the respondent (Prof Jega) to prison for wilfully refusing to obey the full direction contained in the judgment of the court delivered by Justice Kolawole on 17th October 2014, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/880/2013 and the ruling of 15th December, 2014.
Justice Kolawole on 15th December had granted the plaintiffs leave to serve Prof. Jega notice of consequence following disobedience to order of court.
The court had said Jega would be at liberty within 72 hours of service to register DPC but if he failed to comply, the plaintiffs should an apply to convict him prison for contempt of the orders.
