From Ron Jacob, Jos.
Amaju Pinnick has again failed to dislodge Chris Giwa from acting as NFF President as his Counsel again failed to move a motion challenging the Jos Federal High Court’s ex-parte order which installed Giwa in office.
Justice Musa Kurya, the Presiding Judge in the case between Yahaya Adama/Obinna Ogba and Alhaji Aminu Maigari/Musa Adhama and two others had, on June 5, made an ex-perte order asking Pinnick’s NFF leadership to vacate the Glass House for the Giwa-led executive.
His order followed a Supreme Court judgement that asked the Lower Court to again look at the matter between Yahaya group and Maigari’s group for determination.
But Pinnick, through his counsel, Festus Keyamo (SAN) on July 5, stormed the court with two motions, demanding for the vacation of the order pending the determination of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
Unfortunately, the motions could not be heard, due to objection by counsel to Adama and others, Mr Ardzard, which led to the adjournment of the case until Tuesday, July 10, 2018.
When the case came up again on the said day, Tuesday (July 10, 2018) Keyamo’s representation claim for Maigari and Ahmadu, was challenged by Mr Shangyula Samuel, who told the court that he was the only appointed and briefed representative of the duo (Maigari and Ahmadu)
That argument took the whole day as it saw Keyamo withdrawing his appearance for the duo and left to represent only Pinnick, and the Judge adjourned the case to September 25 for hearing.
Kurya had said that he was already on vacation and could only sit when there is a fiat from dthe Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The fiat indeed came from the CJN and the case was fixed for hearing Wednesday, August 1.
When the case came up, Mr Festus Ukpe from Festus Keyamo’s Chamber told the Court that he had three motions for filing before the court and which would be done in the afternoon.
“My Lord, we are lucky to have the CJN reason with us in this matter, which of immense importance to the nation.
“We have three motions ex-parte for filing; the one dated July 11, 2018 is asking this court to set aside the ex-parte order issued to Mr Chris Giwa on June 5, 2018 pending the determination of this case.
“If it’s convenient to your Lordship, we wish to move it right away, given the importance of this case, ’’ Ukpe applied.
But Ardzard, Counsel to Yahaya and Ogba, objected to the Ukpe’s application on the ground that he (Ukpe) had not served them with copies of the motions.
“My Lord, we don’t think our learned colleague has the right to move that motion, which have not been served nor replied to.
“There is the rule of court, which must be followed; beside, the Supreme Court says, where the interest of the other party is affected, he has the right to challenge such a move.
“Moreover, the said motion has not even been properly filed for, so he can’t move it now, ’’ Ardzard opposed
Ukpe, in reply, said that he intended to file in the afternoon and at the same time serve all other counsels in the matter with copies of all the three motions.
“My Lord, all I want is a stand-down so that I can file the motions this afternoon and then serve other counsels with copies then we proceed.
“My challenge is that the man (Mr Shangyula Samuel) that came here last time and said he was representing Maigari and Ahmadu, didn’t file papers for his representation, nor left his address with the court for us to reach out and effect service,” he claimed.
Ardzard, at that stage opposed the claim and pointed out to the court that Samuel left his address with the court and applied to the court to check the case files for it (address).
The Judge then ordered that the case file be checked for the address of Samauel.
It was at the stage that the Registrar, Ms Blessing Lar, brought out a letter written to the court by Samuel, from where his address was copied and given to Ukpe to enable him effect service on him (Samuel).
Justice Kurya again adjourned the case to September 25 to enable Pinnick properly file his motions ex-parte before the court and effect service to all the parties involved in the matter.
He reminded the counsels that he was on vacation before been called back to listen to the case, but if the CJN ordeed him to come back to hear the case, he would gladly do so.