PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship Election has described as ridiculous attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to transfer a court case in the Federal High Court, Benin Division to Abuja jurisdiction.
Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Campaign Council, Raymond Dokpesi who identified the case number of the matter as Suit No: FHC/B/C569/2020 PDP V. INEC & 2 Ords, stated that the PDP had the option of taking the matter to Abuja jurisdiction, but declined based on the policy direction of the chief judge of hearing matters only within jurisdictions.
Dokpesi who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said “We were surprised to hear that the All Progressive Congress (APC) was seeking the transfer of our matter in Benin jurisdiction to Abuja.
“The request by the APC violates the circular of the chief judge of the Federal High Court dated August 6, 2018 and June 24, 2020, which cautioned against entertaining matters of the cause of action arose from outside judicial divisions.
“On this particular matter, our party could have sued in Abuja jurisdiction, but for the policy direction of the chief judge of hearing matters only within jurisdictions.
“The petition of the APC therefore, contradicts the policy directive of the chief judge of the Federal High Court and we therefore, expect the court to ignore same.
“More so, as the matter has not been heard in Benin jurisdiction.
“The PDP has nothing to fear as we are confident in the judiciary to do justice.”
