The Sokoto Division of the Federal High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing in the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state until July 22.

Justice Ahmad Gama granted an application for adjournment filed by counsel to the first defendant following the absence of the lead counsel, Sulaiman Usman (SAN).

Salmanu Jabo, counsel holding a brief for Mr Usman, told the court that his principal was unavoidably absent and lacked the authority to proceed with the substantive hearing.

He also informed the court that three pending processes had not yet been served on all parties, arguing that continuing with the case would violate their right to a fair hearing.

Counsel for the second and third defendants, Ibrahim Abdullahi (SAN), did not oppose the request and urged the court to grant it in the interest of justice and fair play.

However, the plaintiff’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), opposed the application, describing it as incompetent and alleging that the defence’s repeated requests for adjournment amounted to delay tactics.

In his ruling, Mr Gama held that all parties must be duly served with court processes to enable them to respond appropriately, noting that failure to do so would violate the principle of fair hearing.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter to July 22 and ordered counsel for the first defendant to pay a fine of ₦500,000 to the court.

He also directed the first defendant’s counsel to reimburse the plaintiff’s counsel for air transportation and related expenses upon presenting the relevant receipts.

(NAN)