The Federal High Court yesterday directed its judges throughout the federation to stop granting interim and ex-parte orders on all political cases in the country.
The directive was given obviously to forestall the confusion that may arise from pre-election matters ahead of the 2019 general election.
This would mean that all litigations arising from primary elections of political parties and other pre-election matters will henceforth be determined based on the merit of such cases, as the court would no longer interrupt any process pending the determination of the substantive suit.
By this directive, the court is poised to do substantial justice, unlike in the past when desperate politicians and their lawyers would arm-twist the court to sacrifice substantial justice on the alter of technicalities.
The Federal High Court also directed all its judges to conclude impending political cases before them by the end of October.
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati made these known yesterday in Abuja during a special court session to mark the commencement of the court’s 2018/2019 legal year.
Kafarati explained that controversy, which would ensue, particularly from political cases, can be reduced when the court takes decisions after hearing all parties in the case.
This, according to him, will forestall hiccups and the blame on the Court by politicians.
The CJ said, “In an attempt to forestall any hiccups and the blame on the Court by the political gladiators, I have during this vacation issued a circular that interim orders ex parte shall not be granted in any political case brought before the court.
“I believe that controversies, especially in political cases can be reduced when the Court takes a decision after hearing all parties in the case”.
He further explained that it is extremely important that all political cases pending before the court are concluded without delay.
He continued: “It is also very important that all political cases that may affect any of the parties which are still pending before any of our courts be concluded without further waste of time to afford all candidates the opportunity to pursue their political ambitions.
“Judges before whom such cases are still pending must endeavour to conclude them before the end of October 2018”.
In his address at the special court session, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), observed that politicians would attempt to drag judges into the murky waters of politics as the election year beckons.
He however urged the bench to resist this attempt and maintain the integrity of the justice sector.
He said, “This legal year would be anything but ordinary, particularly given the tendency of our politicians to reduce the quest for office and positions as do-or-die affairs. Attempts are sometimes made by the political class to drag Your Lordships’ into these murky waters of politics and in the process embarrass the justice sector.
“Happily, Your Lordships’ have always, in the main, resisted these attempts and it is our hope that Your Lordships’ will maintain this stance and position in the coming weeks and months, starting from the imminent cases in regard to parties primaries and pre-election matters”.
On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubarkar Malami (SAN), appealed to judicial officers to ensure that the credibility of their offices and their sense of personal integrity remain unimpeachable.
Malami who was represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata, urged the court to ensure speedy dispensation of justice and engender greater public respect and confidence in the Court. – Leadership.
