By Musa Baba Adamu
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay a total of N100 million in damages to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu over allegations he made against them.
Justice Salim Ibrahim issued the order on Monday after striking out Ukandu’s suit for lack of diligent prosecution. The judge directed that Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu should each receive N50 million, with the payment to be made within 14 days.
The Damages were awarded following an oral application by counsel to the two judges, Mr. J. U. K. Igwe, SAN.
Ukandu had instituted the suit against the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu, accusing the judges of bias, abuse of judicial authority, corruption and disobedience of a court order. He sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate the allegations.
However, the plaintiff and his counsel repeatedly failed to appear before Justice Ibrahim after the case was assigned to his court.
At the previous sitting on June 30, the judge had warned that the matter would be dismissed if the parties failed to attend subsequent proceedings.
With no appearance by the plaintiff or his lawyer on Monday, Justice Ibrahim struck out the case and granted the application for damages in favour of the two judges.
The suit is connected to the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, particularly litigation involving aggrieved party member Nafiu-Bala Gombe, which is currently pending before Justice Lifu.
