A Federal High Court in Sokoto State on Monday adjourned the hearing in the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state until July 22.
Justice Ahmad Gama, who presided over the matter, granted an application for adjournment filed by counsel to the first defendant following the absence of the lead counsel, Dr. Sulaiman Usman (SAN).
Counsel holding a brief for Usman, Mr. Salmanu Jabo, told the court that his principal was unavoidably absent and that he lacked the authority to proceed with the substantive hearing.
He also informed the court that three pending processes had not yet been served on all parties, arguing that continuing with the case would violate their right to a fair hearing.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi (SAN), did not oppose the request and urged the court to grant it in the interest of justice and fair play.
However, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Mathew Burkaa (SAN), opposed the application, describing it as incompetent and alleging that repeated requests for adjournment by the defence amounted to delay tactics.
In his ruling, Justice Gama held that all parties must be duly served with court processes to enable them to respond appropriately, noting that failure to do so would offend the principle of fair hearing.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter to July 22 and ordered counsel for the first defendant to pay a fine of ₦500,000 to the court.
He also directed the first defendant’s counsel to reimburse the plaintiff’s counsel for air transportation and related expenses upon presentation of the relevant receipts.
