Don’t Assign Our Cases To ‘Courts Of Particular Concern’, PDP Urges Abuja Chief Judge

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pleaded with the chief judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, not to assign cases involving it to three judges (names withheld).

The party claimed that the courts of these judges are viewed by it and the public as “courts of particular concern” with regard to matters pertaining to or affecting PDP’s interest.

The party stated this in a letter dated November 19, 2025, addressed to Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, and written by its national secretary, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.

The letter, titled: ‘‘Assignment Of Cases Involving The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)”, was received by the federal high court judges chambers on November 20, 2025.

The letter read: “I have the instruction and authority of the National Chairman of our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party and the entire members of the newly-elected National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of our Party to write this letter to Your Lordship concerning our fear and apprehension regarding all matters either filed by our Party or against our Party at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

“My lord, it is of great concern to our Party that it would appear that all matters for the past few years filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division either for or against our Party have always been assigned to the following three Judges only, namely: Hon. Justice James Omotosho; Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu; and Hon. Justice Abduimalik.”

The letter added that there are other Judges numbering up to nine in the Abuja Judicial Division, who could have taken up any of these matters, as the Abuja Division has 12 Judges.

It said several PDP members have recently complained bitterly to the newly elected members of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the above-mentioned scenario.

“Indeed, all these three Courts are viewed by party members and indeed the public as ‘courts of particular concern’ with regard to matters pertaining to or affecting the interest of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“My lord, it is trite that justice must not only be done in all cases and circumstances with regard to matters pending and matters filed in the Court of law, but justice must be seen to be done indeed by reasonable members of the society including the members of our Party.

“Given the current challenges facing the Party, there is a high likelihood of cases being filed for or against the Party. It is in this respect that we humbly plead and beg that in no other matters or circumstances with regard to cases that may be filed by or against our party henceforth should be assigned to any of these three Judges, since justice is rooted in trust and integrity.

“Our Party wishes to reiterate the fact that we have no iota of doubt with regard to the integrity of the Judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, headed by your Lordship in dispensing justice in all cases, other than the above-highlighted fears and apprehension of our Party.

“Kindly accept the assurances and warm regards of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of our great party,” the party said.