Suit challenging PDP presidential primary stalled as lawyer ‘suffers stomach upset’

A suit challenging the outcome of the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was stalled at a federal high court on Wednesday due to the absence of the plaintiffs’ counsel.

When the case was called, Wilfred Okoi, counsel to the plaintiff, was not in the courtroom to announce his appearance.

Upon inquiry by the judge who noted that the lawyer had entered his name in the cause list, Michael Ekamon, first plaintiff in the suit, told the court that the lawyer developed “serious stomach upset”.

According to him, the lawyer was in court earlier but after he complained of stomach upset, he had to be leave to get treatment.

“I insisted that he stays, but he said we should rush him down,” Ekamon said.

Responding, Ahmed Mohammed, the presiding judge, said: “We wish him a quick recovery. We are all human beings and prone to getting sick at any given time.”

The judge then asked Ekamon what would be his prayer since his lawyer was not in court.

“I pray the court to give us a little time so that he can get well and continue with the matter,” he said.

Mahmud Magaji, counsel for the defendants, did not oppose the request for an adjournment.

“I have listened to the request of the first plaintiff. The reason for the absence of his counsel borders on ill health,” Magaji said.

“We don’t need to go verifying. It can happen to anybody as my lord has said. But want the court to take notice because this is a pre-election matter of which time is of the essence.”

The judge adjourned the matter until October 7.