A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered embattled PDP Southeast National Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa, to pay N100 million in damages.
The judgment stems from a consolidated fundamental rights suit (FHC/AI/CS/197/2024 and FHC/AI/CS/199/2024), filed by Herbert Onyedikachi Ovuta and others against Odefa and two co-defendants.
Odefa, who was suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by his Oguduokwor Ward executives in September 2024, had petitioned the police, accusing the ward executives of forgery and impersonation. This led to the arrest and detention of four PDP members.
Following his suspension, a disciplinary committee recommended his expulsion, which was upheld by the ward executives on December 12, 2024.
The applicants sought court protection, citing violations of their fundamental rights under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
Delivering judgment, Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah condemned Odefa for using the police to harass the applicants in a civil political dispute. The court awarded N5 million in damages to each of the 20 applicants, totaling N100 million, and an additional N2 million as legal costs.
The judge further issued an order restraining Odefa and the police from harassing, arresting, or intimidating the applicants over his suspension.
Failure to comply within seven days will attract a 10% daily interest on the total sum.
