PLATEAU: BREAKING: FINALLY, SUSPENDED LGC CHAIRMEN SUIT IS FIXED FOR 9TH AND 29TH NOV. 2023 FOR HEARING, AS INTENDING JOINDER WITHDRAWS

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

The coast is now clear for the hearing of the substantive suit No: PLD/J357/2023, filed by allegedly suspended Local Government Council (LGC) Chairmen in Plateau State, over their suspension from office by the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.

Another Defendant to the suit is the State Attorney General (A-G).

You would recall that, REALITY had earlier reported that, the suit was finally reassigned to a 3^rd Judge, Hon. Justice Samchi, by the Plateau State Chief Judge.

After all deliberations at the hearing today, the Court has adjourned the suit for two purposes. First, to hear the Motion for the leave of Court for extension of time to file the Defendants’ Response to the Originating Summons out of time and to hear the substantive matter.

While the Court adjourned the hearing of the Motion to the 9^th of November, 2023, it also adjourned the hearing of the substantive suit to the 29^th November, 20203.

Earlier, the Court had struck out the application for joinder filed by, Hon. Zulfa Bitrus Rimven (the former Chairman of Langtang North), after it was withdrawn by his Counsel, Hassan (Esq).

The Court also refused to grant cost for the withdrawal as requested by the Defendants’ Counsel on the ground that, their response to the suit was even filed 27 days out of the time allowed by the Rules of Court and also that, there was no prayers for a deeming order.

According to the Court, “the event was not completed to attract cost”.

You would also recall that, REALITY had reported that, because of the absence of the Defendants’ Counsel in Court at the last sitting, the Court kept on hold the applications made by the Counsel to the Claimants, Tob, Kekemeke (Esq) for a date to be taken to move all the Motions in the matter alongside the Origination Summons and the application to withdraw the application for Joinder filed by Hon. Zulfa Bitrus Rimven (the former Chairman of Langtang North) by his Counsel.

As at the hearing today, the suspended LGC Chairmen were in attendance with the Leaders of their respective Legislative Councils, accept for two Chairmen who were represented by their Deputies.