Our Reporter, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn a lawsuit it filed against the Nigeria Police Force, citing concerns over judicial impartiality in the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a press statement issued on Friday by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary, the party announced that it filed a notice of discontinuance in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which sought a court order compelling the police to remove an alleged blockade, vacate the PDP national secretariat, and hand over the premises to what it described as the legitimately elected party leadership.
The PDP said the case was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, despite an earlier petition by the party expressing lack of confidence in three judges of the Abuja division over perceived bias in matters involving the PDP.
According to the statement, the party filed a motion requesting that Justice Abdulmalik recuse herself from the case. However, the judge reportedly declined to rule immediately on the application, opting instead to consider it alongside substantive motions and determine it at the point of judgment.
The PDP argued that this approach undermined its right to fair hearing, given its stated loss of confidence in the court’s neutrality on the matter.
Relying on Order 50 Rule 2(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, the party said it was legally entitled to withdraw the suit within 14 days of receiving the last defendant’s statement of defence. It noted that its notice of discontinuance was filed three days after service of the final defence, thereby complying with procedural requirements.
However, the party expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision to dismiss the suit rather than strike it out, describing the ruling as further reinforcing its concerns about judicial impartiality.
The party, however, reaffirmed its respect for the judiciary and urged judges to maintain strict neutrality in political matters to safeguard democracy.
