KOGI GUBER:WADA'S HIDE AND SEEK GAME

By Phrank Shaibu - The NigerianVoice

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has today adjourned till tomorrow hearing in the appeal filed by the governor of Kogi state, Capt Idris Wada against the decision of a Federal High Court to consolidate the separate suits filed by the winner of the January 2011 governorship primary election conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Jibrin Isah and another governorship aspirant in the party, Oyebode Makinde seeking to unseat him.

Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa-led three man panel adjourned commencement in hearing the appeal today on the grounds that the applicant, Wada and/or his lawyer were not in the court.

The court also informed that Wada's lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) had written a letter asking the court to adjourn hearing in the matter till tomorrow or another day possible as the court may deem fit.

Uche had remitted an appeal from this suit to the Supreme Court asking the apex court to make a consequential order, declaring Wada as governor in waiting as at the time the judgment on tenure elongation of five governors was delivered on January 27.

A seven-member panel chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Dahiru Musdapher who dismissed the appeal held that it has become functus officio and lacked the power to make pronouncement on the case .

Shortly after Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court in Abuja consolidated the two separate suits filed by Echocho and Makinde, Wada's lawyer filed an application before the trial court for stay of proceeding on the grounds that he has appealed against the consolidation of the suits.

Besides, he has asked the Appeal Court to direct the Chief Judge of a Federal High Court, Justice to transfer the sitting on the matter from Justice Okorowo to another judge who would as a matter of practice start hearing in the matter all over again.

Before Justice Okorowo granted Wada's application for stay of proceeding last week, he warned Wada's lawyer against employing all manners of tactics to frustrate the suits.