The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the upcoming 2023 General Elections in Nigeria, Comrade Chika Idoko, has written a petition to the Chief Justice of the Federation and the National Assembly, accusing Abubakar Babasoro Esq, the Deputy Court Registrar 2 (DR2) of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, of deliberately stalling his appeal in a case involving him and the Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Comrade Idoko took the decision to go to court shortly after the PDP primaries in 2022, seeking the disqualification of all PDP candidates in the state. He argued that the party failed to submit their membership register within the prescribed 30-day period before conducting the primaries, as stipulated by the Electoral Act.
The Federal High Court in Enugu, where the case was initially heard, ruled that while the petitioner was able to prove that the party did not comply with the relevant provisions of the Act during its primaries, he did not have the legal standing to file the lawsuit as he was neither a member of the PDP nor a candidate in the party’s primaries.
However, Comrade Idoko did not accept the court’s decision and appealed to the Court of Appeal, where he not only lost the case but was also fined the sum of N37 million as general damages to the respondents.
Since then, Comrade Idoko has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, but claims that the case has been deliberately delayed by the actions of Abubakar Babasoro and other court officials.
In lamenting his situation, Comrade Idoko said, “My Lord, I seek your intervention to save me, considering the fine of 37 million Naira imposed on me by the Court of Appeal, even after they agreed with the ruling of the Federal High Court that the PDP Enugu State violated the Electoral Act due to their failure to submit their Party Register within the legally specified time frame of 30 days before their Party Primary Elections.”
The petitioner, in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, detailed the alleged misconduct of Abubakar Babasoro and other court officials, accusing them of obstructing the progress of his case and causing great injustice to him.
Comrade Idoko also expressed his frustration in the letter, stating that he had followed all the rules and procedures of the Supreme Court but wondered why his case has yet to be scheduled for a hearing, despite it being a pre-election matter.
In his appeal to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Comrade Idoko disclosed that he had previously written to the Supreme Court on three occasions, but has yet to receive any response, even after sending two reminders in July and August.
The petition, raised during plenary by Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta, who represents Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency, stated, “Honorable Speaker Sir, equity delayed is equity denied. I have complained several times about how Abubakar Babasoro and other court officials have obstructed the progress of my case, causing great injustice to me.”
Comrade Idoko further pleaded for intervention, emphasizing that he believes the delay and negligence on the part of court officials should not result in him suffering the consequences. He stressed that as a Nigerian citizen seeking justice, it is his right to have his case heard by the Supreme Court.
He appealed to the Speaker of the House to use his position to intercede on his behalf and ensure that he is granted the opportunity to present his case before the Supreme Court, as he believes that the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal were unsatisfactory and that the Supreme Court should have the final say.
Comrade Chika Idoko’s appeal for justice continues, highlighting the importance of fair treatment, adherence to legal procedures, and the pursuit of truth in the Nigerian judicial system.
