Baraje to know fate on Oct 10

A judge of the Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, has fixed October 10 for ruling on the preliminary objection filed by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur, in a suit instituted by factional chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

Tukur, through his counsel, Amaechi Nwaiwu (SAN), had filed a preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit in which the Baraje faction asked the court to nullify the sealing of its faction’s secretariat by the police.

The other claimants in the suit are Baraje’s deputy, Dr. Sam Jaja; and the factional PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The claimants are also asking the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining Tukur and three other national officers of the PDP from parading themselves as the party’s National Executive Committee members.

The claimants had on Wednesday, through their counsel, Mr. Robert Emukpaeruo, urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection.

Emukpaeruo argued that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the matter, stressing that the judgment of the court could be enforced against the defendants.

According to him, as long as a court can enforce its orders, the court can exercise jurisdiction.

 Nwaiwu had argued that Emukpaeruo’s submissions on the issue of jurisdiction were misconceived.

He argued that the writs of summonses were not properly endorsed under the Sheriff and Civil Process Act.

Joined alongside Tukur as defendants are the PDP Deputy National Chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus; Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe; and National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh.