August 21, (THEWILL) – Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has cancelled the decision to transfer the suit of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), against Nigeria Air to Abuja, citing a fundamental flaw in the judgement given by Justice Omotosho to the effect that counsel to Nigeria Air concealed some facts, which has rendered the judgement null and void.
The letter, emanating from the Chief Judge’s Chambers, addressed to Dr Alex A. Izinyam (SAN) Ph.D. OFR, resolved that the matter is now to continue in the Federal High Court (FHC), Lagos.
The letter Re: Judgement In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023, between the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria & 5 ORS V. J.T.Tsoho, drew their attention to the non-disclosure by the counsel’s clients that there was a pending motion for the transfer of the case while making an administrative application to the same effect.
The letter, signed by the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, made available to THEWILL read, “Please refer to your letter dated 4th May, 2023 on the above subject matter. It has reported delivery of Judgement in the aforementioned suit by Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho on 27th April 2023, dismissing the said suit for lack of a cause of action and abuse of court process.
“The Plaintiffs in the said suit challenged the 1st defendant, J.T. Tsoho – Chief Judge of the Federal High Court), who acted in his Judicial capacity by transferring Suit No. FHC/LICS/2159/2022 from Lagos to Abuja Judicial Division.
“While noting the dismissal of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023, may I humbly draw your attention to my earlier letter addressed to you, dated 9 March 2023, particularly to paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 thereof regarding Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1999/2022. This is to the effect that non-disclosure by your clients that there was a pending motion for the transfer of the case while making an administrative application to the same effect, rendered the application fundamentally flawed.
“As a result, I resolved to reverse the transfer of the case, but for the pendency of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023.
“Therefore, following the dismissal of Suit No.FHC,ABJ/CS/271/2023 by Hon. Justice Omotosho, the transfer of Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2159/2022 is hereby cancelled. Accordingly, the case file in respect of the said suit is hereby remitted to the Federal High Court, Lagos, for hearing and determination of the pending application for transfer by Hon. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
