The Peoples Democratic Party lead counsel, Chief Sebastine Hon, has informed the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Hon. Paul Biam was evading receiving court processes.
Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite had on June 28th, 2022, issued an order or substituted service on Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia and 12 others.
The order stated that court processes be served on Alia and 12 other defendants in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/826/2022, through the State Secretary of the party until the defendants affected by the order make an appearance.
When the case came up for hearing, Chief Hon, SAN, informed the court that the bailiff of the court informed him that he could not serve hearing notices on those defendants who were yet to make an appearance or file any processes in the matter because the Secretary of the party in Benue State who is supposed to receive hearing notice on their behalf was running away from service.
Those who were to be served hearing notice through the State Secretary of the party are; Dr. Mathias Byuan, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Anyom Mlanga, and Stephen Lawani and Terwase Orbunde.
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According to Hon, SAN, that was a ploy to delay the hearing of the suit by the PDP.
Counsel to Rev. Alia, Sunday Ameh, SAN, suggested that the court should invite the State Secretary of the APC and the bailiff on the next adjourned date for clarification.
Earlier, the matter which at the last sitting was adjourned for definite hearing could not go due to health of the judge.
Hon, SAN, however craved the indulgence of the Presiding judge to allow counsels in the matter to regularize their pending processes so that the matter can be heard on the next adjourned date.
The Plaintiffs counsel, Hon, SAN, counsel to Godwin Tyoachimin, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, and counsel to Dr. Terlumun Ikya and Bernard Yisa, Emmanuel Agwugwu all recognized their processes.
Hon. Terwase Orbunde who was represented for the first time by E. A. Nwauba also regularized his processes before the court.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed accordingly adjourned the suit to October 25, 2022 for definite hearing and ordered that hearing notice be served on Dr. Mathias Byuan, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Anyom Mlanga, and Stephen Lawani.
