July 31, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, has affirmed the rights of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to appoint legal counsel for themselves without the authority of the National Legal Adviser of the party.
The National legal adviser of the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) had challenged the authority of the Rivers state legal adviser of the Party, to appoint legal representation in a case filed by the Boot party seeking to declare the seats of Martin Amaewhule and 27 others vacant, following their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the PDP applied to be joined in the case, the Rivers state chapter of the Party had appointed a lawyer, Joshua Musa (SAN) to represent them in the case.
But Ajibade had argued that as a national legal adviser, he is saddled with the responsibility of defending the party and its candidates in court. He objected to the appearance of Musa in court, saying the state has no authority to appoint legal representation without the permission of the national body.
In his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Mohammed Obile held that Ajibade has no authority to challenge the appointment of Joshua Musa.
The court restrained the national legal adviser from denying the state legal adviser the right to appoint legal representation. It equally awarded an N100,000 in costs against Ajibade.
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