The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained its decision to withdraw a suit it instituted against the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged blockade and occupation of its national secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it filed a notice of discontinuance in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which sought an order compelling the police to remove the blockade, vacate the secretariat and hand it over to what it described as the legitimately elected leadership of the party.
According to the statement, the case was assigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. The PDP recalled that prior to the assignment, it had written to the Chief Judge expressing concerns over what it described as obvious partiality by three judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja, including Justice Abdulmalik, and its lack of confidence in their ability to fairly adjudicate matters involving the party.
The party said that upon the commencement of proceedings, it filed a motion requesting Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself from the case and return the file to the Chief Judge for reassignment. However, it alleged that the judge declined to immediately take and rule on the recusal application, opting instead to hear all pending motions alongside the substantive case and rule on the recusal issue at the point of judgment.
The PDP described this approach as a denial of fair hearing, insisting that it had already expressed a complete loss of confidence in the judge’s impartiality in matters concerning the party.
Consequently, the party said it exercised its right under Order 50 Rule 2(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 to withdraw the suit without leave of court, noting that the notice of discontinuance was filed within three days of being served with the statement of defence of the last defendant.
The party further alleged that despite its counsel formally informing the court of the discontinuance in line with the rules, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the suit instead of striking it out, a development it said further reinforced its concerns about impartiality.
While reaffirming its respect for the judiciary, the PDP urged judges to remain independent and avoid political influence, citing a past admonition by late Justice Niki Tobi on the need for judges to maintain a clear separation from politics in order to safeguard democracy.
The party concluded by expressing hope that politics and justice would remain distinct and that judges would not succumb to political pressure.
