PLATEAU JUDICIARY BRIEF: COURT STRIKES OUT APPLICATION FOR JOINDER FILED BY 17 TIC CHAIRMEN AND AGAIN, ADJOURNS SUIT NO: PLD/J25/2023, TO 9TH FEB. FOR DEFINITE HEARING

By: Amb. Valentine Adese (JP),

Plateau State High Court Presided over by Hon. Justice Samchi has struck out the Application for Joinder filed by the 17 Local Government Transition Committee (TIC) Chairmen in the state in suit No: PLD/J257/2023, filed by the suspended Executive Chairmen of the Local Government Councils.

The Court struck out the Application after it was formerly withdrawn by Longji (Esq) a state Director of Civil Litigation, who also doubles as he Counsel to the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and the Plateau State House of Assembly, being the 3^rd and 4^th Defendants in the suit.

Earlier before his withdrawal, the Court was drawn to take Judicial Notice by Tob Kekemeke (Esq), Counsel to the Claimants that the 8^th Applicant for Joinder, Hon. Daniel Kume had earlier applied to be joined personally in the suit as the TIC Chairman of Mikang Local Government Council (LGC) and his Application was refused and dismissed by the Court for lack of merit.

Kekemeke (Esq) also informed the Court that he had personally intimated the Counsel to the Applicants of the Court ruling and order on the said application.

Longji (Esq) Counsel to the 3^rd and 4^th Defendants, withdrew the Application after getting the hint from Court.

The Court during its sitting today also deemed the Counter Affidavit filed by the 3^rd and 4^th Defendants dated the 16^th of January, 2024 and filed same day in opposition to the Originating Summons (OS) filed by the Suspended Chairman, as duly filed and served.

Owing to the development, the Counsel to the Claimants, Tob. Kekemeke (Esq) had requested for only One day to reply.

Before adjourning the matter to 9^th February for a definite hearing, the Counsels in the matter have all agreed and as a commitment before the Court not to file any further process again.