Imo APC Guber Primary Court Case Adjourned Indefinitely

The lingering court action challenging the conduct of the
governorship primary election of the Imo State All Progressives
Congress (APC) was on Tuesday adjourned indefinitely by an Abuja
High Court.

The two suits instituted by Hope Uzodinma, who is laying claim
to the governorship ticket of the APC and Uche Nwosu, who is also
laying claim to the same ticket was put off following a petition by
the state chapter of the APC, which accused the judge of bias.

At the resumed hearing Tuesday, Justice Othman Musa, after
allowing lawyers in the suit to announce appearances, read out a
petition dated October 22, 2018, addressed to the judge, accusing
him of bias and favoritism.

The petition signed by one Bisike Chinaka, deputy chairman of
the party in the state, accused Justice Musa specifically of
favouring Uzodinma in the court proceedings by granting orders in
his favour.

APC took a swipe at the judge for granting an order directing
the party to show cause why the name of Uzodinma should not be
forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
as the candidate of the party in the 2019 governorship election in
Imo State.

The petitioner copied the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, and was titled:
‘Judicial Bias, Misconduct and Partiality by the Court’.

It read in part: “Following the cancellation of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the party’s
candidate for the 2019 Imo State Governorship Election, on 4th
October, 2018, Senator Hope Uzodinma filed an action against the
APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The matter was assigned to his Lordship Othman Musa of Court
13, Bwari Judicial Division. On the 5th of October 2018, his
Lordship made an order that the parties should show cause why the
said exparte application should not be granted.

“Therefore, Ugwunba Uche Nwosu also initiated an action in
relation to the said primary election for APC candidate for the
2019 Imo Governorship Election and matter was assigned to his
Lordship Valentine Ashi of Court 23, Apo Judicial Division.

“His Lordship granted an Interim Order of Injunction on 9th
October, 2018 against APC and INEC to the effect that they must
respectively send and receive Ugwumba Uche Nwosu’s name as the
party’s candidate for the election.

“Unfortunately since this order was made, we have noticed that
the proceedings before you which we have keenly watched, appeared
to be skewed in favour of Hope Uzodinma instead of both parties
being treated equally.

“For instance, the court is always referring to the order to
show cause granted in favour of Hope Uzodinma while ignoring the
others made in favour of Ugwumba Uche Nwosu as though the latter
orders were made by an inferior court.

“We strongly accuse you of bias and unable to discharge the oath
of your office as such recuse Yourself forthwith and remit the case
file to the Chief Judge.”

Justice Musa, after reading the petition to the open court,
informed the parties that he would not be able to proceed with the
matter, adding that since the petitioner copied the Chief Judge, he
would await the reaction of the Chief Judge.

He subsequently adjourned the matter indefinitely.