Ex-gov laments adjournments of defamation suit

Kaduna:-

Former military administrator of Kebbi state, Col. John Ubah (rtd), has lamented the number of adjournments in the defamation suit filed against him at the Kaduna state High Court 15 years ago.

Ubah, who was a former Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum, filed a suit No. KDH/KAD/492/02 on behalf of his company, EN’Adikwu Petroleum Limited, against Lawrence Enyesiobi and 5 others over a piece of land in June 2002 but the case has made little progress since then.

Ubah had petitioned the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption over misconduct in the suit involving a land dispute.

The ex-military administrator said he also petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Director General, Department of State Security (DSS) and was disturbed that nothing has been done and no action has been taken on the case.

Speaking to reporters in Kaduna, yesterday, Ubah lamented that the sudden adjournment of the matter, that was supposed to be heard on Wednesday, till October 24, was akin to the last postponement of the defamation suit to October 4 without prior notice, citing annual judiciary holiday.

Following his application for reassignment of the suit, for fear of mistrial,  the Chief Judge of Kaduna state, reassigned the case from Court 10, presided over by Justice Bashir Sukola, to Court 13 under Justice DH Khobo.

“They have brought me here again only for the case to be adjourned. We were told that it was due to ill health of the judge.

“This is frustrating, because that was how I filed a case against the defendant in June 2002, which ordinarily shouldn’t have lasted that long, took 15 years after series of adjournments, before the judge ruled in favour of the respondent in a dramatic twist, a development that gave rise to the present suit.

The retired colonel further explained that the land in question was meant to be used for a company he floated when he was unceremoniously retired from the Army, after the death of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

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