The Supreme Court has struck out an application by Ali Modu Sheriff, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking to stop the court from hearing the appeal of Ahmed Makarfi, factional chairman of the party.
Makarfi had filed an appeal at the apex court to challenge the judgment of the Port Harcourt division of the Appeal Court which sacked his caretaker committee and affirmed Sheriff as chairman of the party.
The hearing of the matter was fixed for May 25.
But, Sheriff in his application asked the Supreme court to not to hear Makarfi’s appeal because he could not initiate legal proceedings in the name of party, having earlier been sacked by the appeal court.
But at the court on Monday, Akin Olujimi, counsel to Sheriff, said Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Markafi, was abusing the court by using two processes to sustain his appeal. He then asked the court not to allow the appeal, arguing that Olanipekun did not apply for leave on some 20 out 24 grounds of arguments.
“This constitutes and abuse of court of processes. He is using two different processes to sustain his appeal,” Olujimi said.
But Olanipekun countered and urged the court to allow his appeal challenging the appeal court’s judgment.
“I urge your lordships to discountenance all that he has said, saying we did not seek leave for our grounds. He is the one abusing court processes,” he said.
“Our appeal was dated April 27 and the judgment of the court of appeal was dated February 17. According to the Supreme Court rule, we have three months. Why will we be asking for leave for time when we were within time. Application for leave to appeal is also an appeal.”
After listening to both sides, the five-man of justices led by Walter Onnoghen, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), allowed the appeal.
“In this circumstance, we find merit in the appeal which is accordingly granted,” Onnoghen said
