A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court has granted leave to the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State in the 2023 governorship election, Sir John Ngbede, to quash proceedings in the suit at the FCT Magistrate Court in Bwari.
The Presiding Judge, Justice J. O Adeyemi-Ajayi also ordered for stay of proceedings in Case No: MT/170/2022 before His Worship, Hon. Taribo Jim of the Bwari Magistrate Court, pending the hearing and determination of the motion exparte before the FCT High Court.
The Judge gave the Order while ruling on Motion No:M/9969/2022 brought by Ngbede’s counsel, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, praying the court to grant leave to to Ngbede to initiate an application for judicial review/Order of certiorari to quash the proceedings of Case No: MT/170/2022, holding at the Magistrate Court in Bwari.
The Motion was also seeking an Order of Court staying judicial proceedings in the case at the Magistrate Court in Bwari, amongst other Orders.
Ngbede instituted the suite after a Commissioner of Police(Command not stated in suit) through the Police prosecutor Abdulrashidi Sidi obtained an Order of Court from an FCT Magistrate Court in Bwari, presided over by Taribo Jim, ordering the University of Jos to make available entry educational qualifications used by John Ngbede to gain admission into the institution.
It also ordered the University to make available academic records and transcripts of John Ngbede with a view to assist Police investigation.
When the case came up, Chief Godwin Obla moved the application which was supported by a statement on oath, a verifying affidavit of 34 pages deposed to by John Ngbede himself with six exhibits and a written address in support of the application.
After listening to Chief Obla, SAN, the Presiding Judge, Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi granted leave to Ngbede to quash proceedings in Case No: MT/170/2022 at the FCT Magistrate Court in Bwari and also ordered for stay of proceedings in the same suit.