A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ruled in favour of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, affirming their right to appoint legal counsel without needing authorization from the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
The court’s decision came after Ajibade challenged the appointment of Joshua Musa (SAN) by the Rivers State PDP to represent them in a case involving the defection of party members to the All Progressives Congress.
Justice Mohammed Obile, on Wednesday, ruled that Ajibade had no authority to challenge Musa’s appointment and restrained him from denying the state legal adviser the right to appoint legal representation. The court also awarded N100,000 in costs against Ajibade, according to TheWil.
This ruling establishes the autonomy of state chapters of the PDP to appoint legal counsel, independent of the national body.