By: Valentine Adese (JP),
The Suit No: PLD/J250/2021, between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has been adjourned to the 11th of August, 2021, for hearing, by the Plateau State High Court.
The presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Ishaku Kunda, in adjourning for hearing after listening to the submissions of the Counsels in the matter said, It is to enable parties respond to processes served on them in Court this morning.
He said, “The sum total shows that, both parties need time to respond to the Motion and other processes served on them this morning. I allow the application for adjournment.
“It appears that, the Court has to deal with the Notice first.”
The crucial Application that was served by PLASIEC that gave rise to the adjournment it was gathered is a Motion filed on its behalf by its Counsel, G. S. Pwul (SAN), requesting the Court to adjourn the hearing of the matter to a date after the on-going vacation.
Explaining the action of PLASIEC and the Motion filed for the adjournment, Pwul (SAN) in his adumbration, said, the ongoing matter is not a “Vacation Matter” hence, should not be treated as such”.
Speaking to Journalists in an On-the Spot interview, Puwl added that, “There was no Application moved due to the fact that, we have filed an Application asking the Judge not to sit on this matter during vacation because, it is not a vacation matter.
“During Court vacation, normal Court proceedings are not entertained. Vacation is meant for both Lawyers and Judges to be at rest and from Court proceedings.
“There are situations where matters are entertained during vacation. These are special cases provided for by the rules of Court.
“This is why we drew the attention of his lordship to the fact that, this case should not be entertained during vacation. Court proceedings are done through filing processes.
“We filed Motions during vacations, but this is not a vacation matter, therefore, it should be adjourned beyond vacation period in order to deal with the matter on merit.
“This is not a layman issue. We don’t do court proceedings either to please or satisfy the layman. We are much after justice of the situation and also adhering to the rules of Court. We do not do Court proceedings to play to the gallery”.
In his reaction, lead Counsel for the PDP, E. G. Pwajok (SAN) flagged by other Lawyers, while explaining the party’s thinking of what happened in Court said, “The Motion for the Court to adjourn the proceedings after the vacation to us was brought with ought most bad faith.
They know and we told the Court that, PLSAIEC has fixed the LG election for 2nd October, 2021.
So, if you are saying that, the matter should be adjourned, may be towards the end of September that means, they want to consolidate their decision to exclude the PDP from contesting the elections.
“Now, the question that should be asked is, is PLASIEC not suppose to independent, are they not suppose to be neutral?
“This action does not show neutrality, to request for an adjournment till after the vacation! The question is, what are they doing now?
“As a matter of fact, they have engaged the services of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Therefore, it is not PLASIEC that is going to be arguing the matter. Why then are they afraid that they don’t want the matter to be heard? Since they have engaged a Lawyer, they should allow the Lawyer do his job.
“This is why we are not happy. We are however happy that the Court in its wisdom has given us a short adjournment.
“If they think that, their delay tactic would help them, they should know that, they can run, but cannot hide.
“PLASIEC, is a government agency, they are supposed to be representing the people of Plateau State because, it is funded by the people, including you and I and therefore, not answerable to other masters somewhere.
“With what they are doing now, they are showing that, they are part of the players instead of being a referee and an independent umpire.
“What they are doing is rubbishing our democracy and their independence”.
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