PDP Explains Withdrawal of Suit Against Police Over Secretariat Blockade

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has explained its decision to withdraw a suit it instituted against the Nigeria Police Force at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The explanation was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.

The party said it filed a notice of discontinuance in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which sought an order compelling the police to remove the blockade on its national secretariat, vacate the premises and hand it over to what it described as the legitimately elected leadership of the party.

“Today, we filed a notice of discontinuance in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which we filed against the Nigeria Police seeking an order of the court directing the police to remove their blockade, vacate our secretariat, and hand same over to us, as the legitimately elected leadership of the party,” the statement read.

According to the PDP, the case was assigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, despite an earlier letter by the party expressing concerns over what it described as “obvious partiality” of three judges, including Justice Abdulmalik, in matters involving the PDP.

The party said it subsequently filed a motion asking the judge to recuse herself and return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment, but alleged that the judge declined to immediately hear and rule on the application.

Instead, the PDP claimed the judge indicated that all pending applications, including the recusal motion, would be taken alongside the substantive suit and decided at judgment.

The party said this further eroded its confidence in the court and amounted to a denial of fair hearing, given its expressed lack of trust in the judge’s impartiality.

Consequently, the PDP said it exercised its right under Order 50 Rule 2(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 to discontinue the suit within the stipulated timeframe.

However, the party expressed concern that the court dismissed the case instead of striking it out after its counsel informed the judge of the notice of discontinuance.

“This again exacerbates our party’s subsisting fear about the impartiality of the court,” the PDP said.

While reaffirming its respect for the judiciary, the party urged judges to remain politically neutral, warning that any perceived alignment with political interests could undermine democracy.