Ondo crisis: Supreme court strikes out petition by Sheriff’s PDP

The supreme court has dismissed a petition filed by Biyi Poroye, chairman of the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state.

Poroye had said sought the disbandment of the appellate court panel handling cases involving the PDP crisis in Ondo.

Eyitayo Jegede, candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi faction, had asked the court of appeal to set aside the order of the federal high court, Abuja, that Jimoh Ibrahim should be recognised as the PDP candidate in Ondo.

At the supreme court on Tuesday, Beluolisa Nwofor, counsel to Poroye, argued that the appeal panel led by Ibrahim Saulawa ought not entertain proceedings after Sheriff’s group had applied for a stay of proceedings in the apex court.

He asked the court to discipline the judges involved because “they ought not to conduct those proceedings”.

On his part, Wole Olanipekun counsel to Jegede, asked the panel of justices led by Walter Onnoghen, acting chief justice of Nigerian (CJN), to dismiss the “crass” application.

“We urge your lordship not only to dismiss the appeal but shatter it,” he said.

Having listened to the submissions, Onnoghen dismissed the appeal, saying joining justices of appellate court in the matter was an attempt to scandalise the court.

“The joining of the justices in this manner is not only an attempt to scandalise the court, but to put it in very bad taste and should consequently b discouraged,” he ruled.

“Judicial officers enjoy immunity in the performance of their judicial functions, they are not meant to be subjected to this form of intimidation.

“In the circumstance I find no merit whatsoever in the application and consequently dismiss same with the cost of N500,000 to each set of respondents represented by Chief Olanipekun in each of the applications.

“It is further ordered that the cost of N1 million is thereby awarded in favour of to fifth to seventh respondents, third to fifth and fourth to fifth respondents respectively, in each of the applications to paid by B.E.I Nwofor SAN and application is hereby dismissed.”

Earlier, the apex court ordered the appeal court to continue hearing the case, which was adjourned indefinitely, following Poroye’s petition.