“Court Awards N100 Million Damages Against Ex-PDP National Vice Chairman Ali Odefa”

A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, has awarded N100 million in damages against Chief Ali Odefa, the expelled National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-East, following a suit filed by 20 party members from Oguduokwor ward in Onicha Local Government Area.

The case, Suit No: FHC/AI/CS/FHR/197, was brought by the applicants, including executives of the party in Oguduokwor ward, who sought the enforcement of their fundamental human rights after being accused by Odefa of forging documents related to his suspension as the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the South-East.

Odefa had alleged that the applicants forged documents to suspend him from his position, a claim the plaintiffs vehemently denied. Ruling on the matter, Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah held that Odefa had maliciously involved the police, making baseless criminal accusations in what was essentially a civil political issue.

The judge noted that Odefa failed to provide any evidence of forgery to substantiate his claims. As a result, the court issued an order barring both Odefa and the police from further harassment, arrest, or intimidation of the applicants regarding the suspension issue.

In addition to the court order, N100 million in damages was awarded to the plaintiffs, with each of the 20 applicants entitled to N5 million, for the undue distress caused by the false accusations. The court further mandated that the full amount be paid within seven days of the judgment, warning that any delay would result in an additional 10% daily interest on the total sum.

The ruling was made in the presence of Benson Emenike, the OC Legal of the Nigeria Police Ebonyi State Command, who represented the Commissioner of Police, while Odefa’s counsel was absent despite having received prior notice of the sitting.

This case follows the expulsion of Odefa from the PDP on December 12, 2024, after the party’s Oguduokwor ward executives found him guilty of anti-party activities based on recommendations from the party’s disciplinary committee. Odefa’s legal setback underscores the ongoing political tensions within the PDP in the region.