RismadarVoice Reporters
January 24, 2026
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn a suit it filed against the Nigeria Police Force at the Federal High Court, Abuja, citing concerns over judicial impartiality.
The party announced the decision in a press statement on Friday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, explaining that it had filed a notice of discontinuance in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which sought an order compelling the police to remove their blockade from the PDP National Secretariat and hand over the premises to what it described as the party’s legitimately elected leadership.
According to the PDP, the case was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, despite an earlier letter written by the party to the Chief Judge expressing concerns over the perceived partiality of three judges of the Abuja Division of the court in matters involving the PDP.
The party said it subsequently filed a motion for recusal, requesting that Justice Abdulmalik step aside from the case, return the file for reassignment.
However, the PDP alleged that the court declined to hear and determine the recusal application, indicating instead that all pending motions, including the recusal request, would be taken together with the substantive suit and ruled upon at the point of judgment.
The PDP described the procedure as a breach of its right to fair hearing, stating that it had lost confidence in the court’s ability to adjudicate the matter impartially.
Consequently, the party exercised its right under Order 50 Rule 2(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, which allows a plaintiff to withdraw a suit without leave of court within fourteen days of receiving the statement of defence of the last defendant.
The PDP said its notice of discontinuance was filed three days after the last statement of defence was served.
However, the party further alleged that when its counsel informed the court of the discontinuance, the court dismissed the suit rather than striking it out, a development it said reinforced its concerns about judicial bias.
While reaffirming its respect for the judiciary, the PDP urged judges to maintain strict neutrality in political matters, warning that any perceived alignment with political interests could undermine democracy, public confidence in the justice system.
