Aggrieved Yobe PDP members to petition NJC over delay in judgment

Aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State have expressed their intention to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the “delay” in delivering judgment in the suit challenging the congresses in the state.

The aggrieved members said the Yobe State High Court in Damaturu, the state capital has rescheduled judgement in its case severally beyond the 90 days after adoption of written addresses that they are concerned about the development.

Section 294(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended) provides that every court “Shall deliver its decision in writing not later than ninety days after the conclusion of the evidence and final addresses and furnish all parties to the cause or matter determined with duly authenticated copies of the decision within seven days of the delivery thereof.”

One of the aggrieved chieftains who craved anonymity said that the group believed there had been a breach of the Constitution and judicial rules, adding that the court had also failed to protect its dignity when the defence ignored its order.

The court had on April 8 granted an interim injunction following the conclusion of the ward congress, which the party had ignored and proceeded with the local government and state congresses.