A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Wednesday affirmed the expulsion of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa.
This followed the granting of the reliefs sought by the applicants in Suit No. FHC/AI/CS/FHR/197, between Herbert Onyedikachi, Anoke Egbe, Njoku Nwagu, Moses Idika, Ogbonnaya Idika, Obinna Chukwu, Chief John Igboke, Mrs Ijeoma Nome, Okorie C. Okorie, and nine others as applicants, versus Chief Ali Odefa (defendant), PDP, and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The plaintiffs had sought reliefs, including an order restraining Ali Odefa from parading himself as a member of PDP or enjoying the rights and privileges accorded to party members.
They also sought an order preventing Odefa from holding the office of National Vice Chairman of the PDP (South-East Zone).
Delivering judgment on the suit, the presiding judge, Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah, granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs and affirmed Odefa’s expulsion from the PDP.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Mudiaga Erhenede, commended the court and requested costs of N5 million against the first defendant, Chief Ali Odefa.
However, counsel for the defendants, Barrister Ifeanyi Chukwu, informed the court that they were not opposed to the judgment.
Chief Odefa was expelled from the PDP on 12 December 2024 by the party’s executives in Oguduokwor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following a disciplinary committee’s recommendation, which found him guilty of anti-party activities.
Notably, in an earlier ruling, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Hilary Oshomah, had awarded N100 million in damages against the expelled PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa.
The court also issued an order restraining Odefa and the police from harassing, arresting, or in any way intimidating the applicants concerning his earlier suspension from the PDP, Oguduokwor Ward.
CREDIT: DAILY POST