A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered the suspended former National Vice-Chairman (South East) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ali Odefa, to pay ₦100 million in general damages and an additional ₦2 million as costs to the Ogwudokwor Ward Executives of the PDP in Onicha Local Government Area.
The court’s decision followed Odefa’s suspension over alleged anti-party activities and subsequent attempts to intimidate and harass the ward executives using the Nigerian Police Force.
In a consolidated ruling on two fundamental rights suits FHC/AI/CS/197/2024 and FHC/AI/CS/199/2024 delivered by Justice Hillary I.O. Oshomah, the court affirmed that Odefa violated the applicants’ rights through threats, harassment, and police invitations.
The applicants, including Herbert Onyedikachi Ovuta, Okorie C. Okorie, Moses Idika, Ifeanaru Aloke, Chief John Igboke, and Mrs. Ijeoma Nome, sought enforcement of their fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Their counsel, Chief Mudiaga Ehrenede, argued that Odefa’s actions were unconstitutional and prayed the court for a perpetual injunction restraining Odefa and the police from further harassment.
In its judgment, the court ruled that Odefa maliciously used the police to intimidate the ward executives to prevent them from pursuing the legal process surrounding his suspension. Justice Oshomah also issued a perpetual injunction restraining Odefa and the police from further acts of intimidation.
“₦100 million is hereby awarded as general damages against Ali Odefa, and an additional ₦2 million as costs in favor of the applicants in these consolidated suits,” Justice Oshomah declared.
The case stem from October 2024, when six PDP executives in Ogwudokwor Ward suspended Odefa indefinitely for alleged anti-party activities. The suspension was later escalated to expulsion, and Odefa has since been replaced by Comrade Chidiebere Egwu, a former zonal youth leader of the PDP.
This judgment underscored the judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights and curbing abuse of power.
