Press Release
The absence of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja today stalled hearing in the contempt proceedings against Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega over his refusal to register Democratic People’s Congress as a political party.
The matter was adjourned to 21st January, 2015, for hearing on form 49 – notice to show cause why order of committal should not be made against Professor Jega, pursuant to order 35 Rules 1,2 and 3 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, and Section 6(6)a and (b) constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The plaintiffs, Rev. Olusegun Peters, Okoye Finbarr, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Khalil and Dioji Chidinma, through their counsel, Ezekiel Vem Ofou, sought an order of Court committing the respondent/contemnor (Prof. Attahiru Jega) to prison for willfully refusing/neglecting to obey the full direction contained in the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Kolawole on 17th October 2014, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/880/2013 and the ruling of 15th December, 2014.
Justice Kolawole on 15th December granted the plaintiffs leave to serve Prof. Jega Form 48 – notice of consequences of disobedience to order of Court by substituted service by delivering it at the Legal Department of the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The Court said Jega would be at liberty within 72hours of service to register DPC but if he failed to take remedial steps to comply with the judgment of 17th October 2014, the plaintiffs should file and serve “Form 49” and apply to convict him to prison for contempt of the orders in the said judgment.
Hearing was adjourned to 21st January 2014.
