……..Restrains Police, Expelled PDP Vice-Chair from Harassing Party Ward Executives
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki has ordered the suspended former National Vice-Chairman (South East) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ali Odefa, to pay N100 million in general damages and an additional N2 million in costs to the executives of Ogwudokwor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State. The ruling follows his suspension over alleged anti-party activities.
Court Rules Against Odefa’s Use of Police for Harassment
In a consolidated fundamental rights suit, identified as:
FHC/AI/CS/197/2024 (Herbert Onyedikachi Ovuta & 4 ORS. v. Chief Ali Odefa & 2 others), and
FHC/AI/CS/199/2024 (Sabastine Idenyi & 13 others v. Chief Ali Odefa & 2 others),
the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Hillary I.O. Oshomah, ruled that Odefa had used the Nigerian Police Force to harass and intimidate the applicants in an attempt to prevent them from pursuing legal action regarding his suspension.
As a result, the court ordered Odefa to pay N100 million in general damages and N2 million as costs for his actions.
Applicants Seek Protection of Their Fundamental Rights
The applicants—Herbert Onyedikachi Ovuta, Okorie C. Okorie, Moses Idika, Ifeanaru Aloke, Chief John Igboke, and Mrs. Ijeoma Nome—had approached the court seeking enforcement of their fundamental human rights under:
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Order Two of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, and
Sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Court Grants Perpetual Injunction Against Harassment
The applicants’ lead counsel, Chief Mudiaga Ehrenede, filed the suit in October 2024, seeking seven reliefs. Among them was a declaration that the threats, harassment, and intimidation of ward executives for suspending Odefa were unconstitutional.
They also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Odefa and the police from threatening, arresting, or intimidating them over their role in his suspension.
Court’s Final Ruling
In its judgment, the court held that Odefa maliciously used the police to harass the applicants in an attempt to interfere with an ongoing civil suit regarding his suspension, rendering the matter sub judice at the time of the police involvement.
Justice Oshomah issued a restraining order, preventing Odefa and the police from harassing, arresting, or inviting any of the applicants in connection with the suspension matter.
The judge ruled:
“N100 million is hereby awarded as general damages against Ali Odefa, and N2 million as costs in favor of the applicants in these consolidated suits.”
Background: Odefa’s Suspension and Expulsion
In October 2024, six PDP executives from Ogwudokwor Ward, Onicha LGA, suspended Odefa indefinitely over allegations of anti-party activities. He was later expelled from the party.
He has since been replaced by the party’s former Zonal Youth Leader, Comrade Chidiebere Egwu.
