PDP leadership Crisis: Sheriff faction asks A-Court to adjourn case indefinitely

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, fixed December 15 to hear a motion seeking to stop further hearing on suits relating to the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led three-man panel adjourned to hear the motion which was filed by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party.

The group had through their counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, urged the appellate court panel to suspend hearing on the appeal that was lodged by the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led faction of the party.

They based their request on the fact that the Port Harcourt Division of the Court has already concluded hearing on the same subject matter and reserved its judgment.

Sheriff and his group specifically prayed the appellate court to temporarily hands-off three separate appeals pertaining to the PDP leadership crisis. The three pending appeals the group wants to be put on hold were marked CA/A/402/2016; CA/A/402A/2016 and CA/A/402D/M/2016.

The appellants are basically challenging a verdict that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on June 30, which recognised Sheriff as National Chairman of the Party. Justice Abang had in the said judgement, maintained that Sheriff has the authority to take decisions for the party, including briefing of lawyers to represent the interest of the PDP in court.

Whereas the Sheriff-led faction was in the three appeals, sued as the 1st and 2nd respondents in the appeal by two chieftains of the party in Ondo and Edo states, Chief Benson Akingboye and Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, respectively.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was cited as the 3rd respondent in the three appeals.