… petitions Abuja Division chief judge
Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party has formally petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho over what it describes as a troubling and consistent pattern of judicial bias in cases involving the party, particularly those linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and his allies.
In a letter dated November 19, 2025, and received at the Chief Judge’s Chambers on November 20 and a reminder submitted today the 26th November 2025, the PDP leadership expressed “deep concerns and apprehension” over the persistent assignment of virtually all PDP-related matters in the Abuja Division to only three Justices, James Kolawole Omotosho, Peter Odo Lifu and Joyce Abdulmalik inspite of the fact that the division has no fewer than fourteen justices on its roll.
Party enthusiasts and members of the public noted that the situation has generated unease among members, legal practitioners, and independent observers who have continued to voice their reservations in press briefings, public commentaries, and published opinion pieces. These stakeholders have repeatedly highlighted what they describe as “imminent bias” in the handling of cases tied to Wike and his political group, including instances where overwhelming evidence presented before the court was allegedly circumvented in favour of the minister’s group.
The enthusiasts referenced a widely circulated published story that had not been denied, indicating that on April 7 and 8, 2025, Wike hosted the then-suspended pro-Wike lawmakers in the United Kingdom for what was termed a “strategic meeting.” During the private dinner, Wike briefed the lawmakers on his “court alignments” and provided assurances of judicial compliance expected to advance their political demands. The enthusiasts said these revelations have taken on new significance in light of what they described as the “numerous and suspiciously consistent courtroom victories” secured by Wike’s camp within the Abuja Division.
They also noted that even cases filed in other jurisdictions have mysteriously reappeared in Abuja, “from where they are with striking regularity reassigned to the same judges repeatedly linked to Wike-related matters. The fourth judge previously associated with this pattern, Justice I. E. Ekwo, is currently suspended, further intensifying scrutiny of why only a narrow cluster of judges continues to handle such sensitive political suits.”
The party questioned the recent decision to assign yet another suit filed by Wike’s allies to Justice Joyce Abdulkadir, insisting that the issues raised in the matter are already on appeal and require no new adjudication.
Independent observers accused the court of succumbing to “a sinister intent aimed at nullifying the party’s national convention and plunging the PDP into a fabricated constitutional crisis.
“With the avalanche of justices in your court,” the PDP sympathisers and public commentators wrote, “It is rather curious that only those outlined are assigned Wike cases. The outcome of this latest task is predetermined, and the intent is clearly to create a vacuum where none exists.”
Various supporters and civil society groups have demanded an immediate reassignment of the matter or the voluntary recusal of the presiding judge. Failure to do so, they urged the party to pursue an appeal against her participation.
PDP apologists enthused, “We shall not submit ourselves to participating in an exercise in which the outcome is known.
“It is in the interest of the court to listen to the voice of reason rather than leave a legacy of alleged judicial compromise. We do not crave judgment; we demand justice in its truest form.”
The party reaffirmed its respect for the judiciary but insisted that recent developments at the Abuja Division have eroded public trust and require urgent corrective action to restore confidence in the impartiality of the court.
