…As Court Reserves Judgment for November 16
The legal team representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja, to dismiss a suit challenging his candidacy for the 2027 governorship election for lack of competence.
Led by Prof. Anthony Ijohor, SAN, the legal team adopted Aondoakaa’s preliminary objection and urged the court to dismiss the suit in limine, arguing that it was not competent to proceed with the case.
The legal team headed by Prof. Ijohor, SAN, comprised other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Chiesonu I. Okpoko, SAN, Anthony A. Malik, SAN, and Mohammed Said Diri, SAN. Other members of the team were AT Kohol, Esq, Michael Gusa, Esq, Aleichenu Ogwuche, Esq, AJ Apera, Esq,
Matthew Onoja, Esq, DD Asema, Esq, and HT Ijohor, Esq.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2152/2026, was instituted by David Ejembi, Aondoaver Teryila, Joseph Okpanachi and Benedict Akaazua Orkume against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP and Aondoakaa.
At the proceedings, counsel to the PDP, CT Mue, Esq, also adopted the party’s preliminary objection and urged the court to strike out the suit for lack of competence.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Feng Pwajok, Esq, adopted the plaintiffs’ counter-addresses and written address in response to the preliminary objections. Prof. Ijohor subsequently adopted Aondoakaa’s further affidavit and reply on points of law, while Mue adopted the PDP’s reply on points of law.
On the substantive suit, counsel to the plaintiffs adopted their originating processes, while counsel representing the defendants adopted their respective processes. The plaintiffs’ counsel thereafter adopted further affidavits and replies on points of law filed in response to the submissions of the PDP and Aondoakaa.
Following the arguments, the court adjourned the matter to November 16, 2026, for judgment.
Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is the PDP’s duly nominated governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue State election.