The Abia State High Court has dismissed a suit instituted by Don Norman Obinna and 17 others against the African Democratic Congress (ADC), challenging their dissolution as members of the State Executive Committee of the Abia State ADC.
In a comprehensive ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice L. Agbai, Chief Judge of Abia State, struck out the suit, imposing a fine of N100,000 against Don Norman Obinna and his group.
In her words, “It is my view that it is not the duty of this court to begin to interpret the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt which he relies upon. I must however point out that this suit unlike the suit before the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt has nothing to do with the issue of whether or not the tenure of National Working Committee of the 3rd defendant has expired, whether the emergency meeting of NEC of 3rd defendant held on 25th August is valid or null and void, which were the issues for determination before the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. In this case the issue is, whether the claimants are still members of the state Executive Committee of the 3rd defendants in Abia State,” she held.
It will be recalled that Don Norman Obinna and his executives were dissolved in August 2022 by the National Working Committee of the ADC for alleged anti-party activities, corruption, and high-handedness.
In the originating summons filed by Norman and 17 others on August 16, 2022, in Suit No. HU/214/2022, they sought a determination of whether, by virtue of Article 17 subsection 2(n)(o) of the constitution of the 3rd defendant, the 1st and 2nd defendants can validly dissolve them as members of the State Executive Committee of the 3rd defendant in Abia State. They also questioned whether, by virtue of Article 22 subsection 1(a)(b)(c)(d)(e) and subsection 2 of the constitution of the 3rd defendant, the 1st and 2nd defendants and the National Working Committee of the 3rd defendant can validly dissolve the claimants as members of the State Executive Committee without complying with the laid-down procedures of the 3rd defendant’s constitution.
Speaking to newsmen immediately after the ruling, the ADC Abia State legal adviser commended the Chief Judge for her sound ruling, stating that the decision has resolved the leadership struggle within the Abia ADC. He also hinted that the party would soon file a fresh suit to recover assets currently in the possession of Don Norman and his associates.
During the High Court proceedings, Ladu Martins represented Don Norman Obinna and the 17 others, while Chief Emerson Azubuike represented the ADC.
In a related development, the ADC National Working Committee (NWC), at their last meeting in Abuja, urged all its state executives to reconcile all issues and refocus the party for victory in the coming elections.
