Waku, Jime to Withdraw Suit against Benue Gov-Elect
The combatants in the crisis that rocked the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before recent elections have decided to embrace peace and work together.
Indication to this effect emerged on Wednesday, following an application for an out of court settlement in the suit challenging the emergence of the former Minister of State for Trade and Investment Dr. Samuel Ortom, as the governor-elect on the platform of APC.
In the suit, the plaintiffs, otherwise known as the G4 comprising Senator Joseph Waku, Prof. Steve Ugbah, Mr. Emmanuel Jime and Chief Mike Iordye, specifically joined Mr. Abba Yaro, Dr. George Akume [Senate Minority Leader/State Party Leader], the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants in the suit.
But during the proceedings, one of the plaintiffs, Chief Mike Iordye opted out of the suit after alleging that his signature was forged. His name was subsequently struck out by the court.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Sunday Ameh (SAN) informed the court that his clients were pursuing an out of court settlement of the dispute and needed time to concertise the peaceful process.
At the last adjourned date, counsel to Ortom, Mr. Sabastine Hon (SAN) prayed the court to stay proceedings in the matter due to a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal.
In moving his application, Hon who relied on relevant legal authorities, told Justice Evoh Chukwu that once a court becomes aware that an appeal was before the court of appeal, the court had no other duty than to stay proceedings on the subject matter or adjourned sine die, pending the outcome of the appeal.
