The Lagos State High Court in Igbosere on Thursday struck out a contempt application, praying that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, and other members of the party’s National Working Committee should be sent to prison for alleged disobedience to a court order.
Justice Taofikat Abdullahi-Oyekan struck out the contempt application after the applicants’ lawyer, Francis Akinlotan, opted to withdraw same.
Apart from Secondus, others joined as alleged contemnors were Senator Ben Obi, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Jarigbe Jarigbe, Danladi Tijo, and Ahmed Mukthar.
The applicants – Dr Adegbola Dominic, Elder John Agbaje, Alhaji Fatai Ajisefinni and Chief Taiwo Kuye – accused Secondus and others of flouting a November 12, 2019 court order, which restrained them from conducting a special election to fill vacant offices in the Lagos State chapter of the PDP.
At the Thursday’s proceedings, the applicants’ lawyer, Akinlotan, said he was withdrawing the contempt charge to allow the court to deal with the substantive issue.
Counsel for the respondents, Emmanuel Enoidem, said while he was not opposed to the withdrawal of the contempt application but he would be asking for a cost of N500,000.
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However, while striking out the contempt charge, Justice Abdullahi-Oyekan declined the application for N500,000 award.
The judge said, “I do not think that cost will be appropriate in the circumstances.
“There is nothing more important in contempt proceedings than attendance, composure and remorse in the face of the contemnors.
“While appreciating the learned counsel’s objection, I am of the view that money is not the price for contempt to compensate the contemnor, rather, his attendance of court proceedings to face his or her charge.
“This is however averted by the withdrawal and I hold the contemnor in high esteem for the remorse and attendance in court. No further respect must be shown by any court than this.
“Based on this reasoning, the contempt proceedings application is accordingly struck out and the substantive suit shall be taken forthwith. This is my ruling.”
The judge adjourns till April 29, 2020, to hear the substantive suit.
