PDP crisis deepens as Turaki faction demands judge to withdraw from leadership suit over ‘bias’

Crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a fresh turn on Friday as the Kabiru Turaki-led leadership formally asked Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court to step aside from a suit filed against the party’s national leadership.

In a motion on notice, filed by a legal team led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, the faction insisted that Justice Abdulmalik’s continued handling of the case raises “reasonable apprehension” that the 5th to 25th defendants, who make up the Turaki camp, “will not receive a fair and impartial hearing before this court.”

The suit was originally filed by a faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, led by acting National Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman. But the Turaki camp is now asking that the matter be reassigned to another judge entirely.

They are praying for two key orders:

1. “An order for his lordship, Justice Abdulmalik, to recuse herself from further presiding over or taking any further steps in this suit…”

2. “An order… remitting this suit to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to another judge… for determination on its merit.”

Uche, SAN, told the court that the constitution guarantees the right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1), and warned that “there exists a reasonable and well-founded apprehension of likelihood of bias” based on how the matter has been handled so far.

He explained that his clients had earlier written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, asking that no PDP-related case be assigned to Justice Abdulmalik, as well as two other Abuja judges, “due to past antecedents and perceived partisanship in similar matters.”

“Despite the above letter of objection, the matter was assigned to His Lordship,” Uche noted, adding that another letter was written to protest the assignment. “Notwithstanding the said letters, His Lordship proceeded to preside over this suit, thereby raising a legitimate apprehension…”

The senior lawyer also drew the court’s attention to an ex-parte order granted on Nov. 25—just four days after the suit was filed—which he described as being issued in a “curious” template similar to orders previously made by Justice Omotosho in related party disputes.

According to him, the ex-parte orders made by Justice Abdulmalik “touched directly on and determined the main substance of the suit” even when “there was no real urgency.” He insisted that judicial proceedings “must not only be fair but must manifestly appear to be fair.”

He argued: “The test for likelihood of bias is whether a reasonable person, properly informed of all the circumstances, would apprehend that he may not receive justice from the Court.”
Uche maintained that continued involvement of the judge after a formal objection “has further deepened the apprehension of partiality,” adding that reassignment is necessary “to preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings.”

Background to the Suit

In the original case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, the plaintiffs—PDP, Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu—sought to stop the Turaki leadership from accessing the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza. They also asked the court to restrain INEC from recognising any address or representation from the Turaki camp, among several other injunctions.

They further sought a declaration that INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, and the DSS are constitutionally bound to enforce earlier court decisions by Justices Omotosho and Lifu regarding PDP’s internal disputes.

The suit was filed on November 21 by Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, with INEC, the IGP, FCT Police Command and DSS listed as the first four defendants, and Turaki and several PDP chieftains named as 5th to 25th defendants.

Proceedings on Friday

When the case resumed, lawyers from all sides—including Ikpeazu for the plaintiffs, Uche for the 5th to 25th defendants, and Mimi Ayua for the police—told the court they had not yet been served the necessary processes. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to January 14, 2026, to allow time for proper filing.

Later that same day, the second case filed by the Turaki-led PDP (FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025) was also called. Terkaa Aondo, SAN, represented the plaintiffs, while Ayua again appeared for the police. Ken Njemanze, SAN, appearing for parties seeking to be joined—including Abdulrahman, Anyanwu and PDP BOT Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa—said he had not yet been served.

Justice Abdulmalik directed all parties to complete filings ahead of the next date and fixed January 16 for hearing of the applications and the substantive matter. In that suit, the Turaki faction is asking the court to order the police to vacate the PDP national headquarters.