A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, refused to hear an ex-parte motion filed by Sen. Aisha Dahiru-Ahmed, the guber All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Adamawa governorship election, popularly called “Binani”.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, instead, ordered the APC candidate’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, to address the court on issue of jurisdiction before hearing the substantive motion.
Upon resumed hearing on the matter, Afeez Matomi, announced appearance for Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, the 3rd respondent in the suit, shortly after Sheriff mentioned his name.
Judge Ekwo then inquired as to whether Matomi had been served.
Although they hadn’t been served yet, the attorney informed the judge that they had submitted a motion to refute Binani’s prayers.
He claimed that they decided to file a motion after learning about the ex-parte motion through social media.
Then Ekwo gave Sheriff the go-ahead to address the court.
The attorney declared that he was prepared to move his ex-parte motion, which had been submitted on April 17.
The judge stated that even though he was prepared to hear from Sheriff, the attorney first had to address the court regarding the jurisdictional issue.
“I’m prepared as well, but you need to address me regarding jurisdiction”, he added.
The application and the jurisdictional question would be heard simultaneously at the following postponed date, according to Justice Ekwo, who instructed Sheriff to address him regarding whether the court had jurisdiction to hear the matter.
He, consequently, adjourned the matter until April 26 for hearing of the motion and an address on jurisdiction.