A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has upheld the expulsion of the National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East, Chief Ali Odefa, from the party.
Odefa was initially suspended on October 4, 2024, by the executive committee of his Oguduokwor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area, over alleged anti-party activities. However, he dismissed the suspension and continued to function as the party’s National Vice Chairman in the region.
Following his alleged failure to appear before a disciplinary committee, the ward executive committee proceeded to expel him from the party and subsequently approached the Federal High Court to validate the expulsion.
Delivering judgment in suit no FHC/AI/CS/182/2024, filed by the Chairman of Oguduokwor Ward, Herbert Ovuta, the presiding judge, Justice Hilary Oshomah, granted all the reliefs sought by the ward executives and ruled that Odefa’s expulsion was valid.
However, the court declined to grant the N5 million cost sought by the party against Odefa.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the party, Chief Mudi Erhenede, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and expressed his desire for the case to proceed to the Supreme Court.
The ruling is expected to have political implications for the PDP in the South East, particularly as the party gear up for future elections.
