PDP CRISIS: Court dismisses Baraje-faction’s suit against Tukur, others

A Lagos High Court in Ikeja on Thursday dismissed the suit filed by the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, seeking the court to restrain the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and others from further parading themselves as officials of the party.
Delivering ruling on the preliminary objection filed by the respondents, Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie held that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The suit was filed on September 1 by Baraje, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and Sam Jaja, who claimed to be the authentic members of the National Executive Committee of the PDP elected on August 30, 2013 at a parallel congress.
PDP itself was joined as the fourth claimant in the suit while Tukur and others were respondents.
Apart from Tukur, other respondents in the suit were the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Uche
Secondus; Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe; and the National Publicity Secretary, Olisah Metuh.
But according to the judge, the Lagos State High Court had no power to assume jurisdiction over a matter which originated outside its territory.