Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court has dismissed the objections by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress ADC, David Mark, to the bid by Nafiu Bala Gombe to amend his claims in a suit over the leadership dispute in the party.
The judge in a ruling on Friday held that the objections by Mark and Rauf Aregbesola to originating summons amendment by Nafiu Gombe were frivolous, baseless and without merit.
Justice Lifu said that the sought amendment which was to give life to the case of the plaintiff was a normal attempt in a civil litigation to ensure that miscarriage of justice is prevented.
Besides, the judge held that the sought amendment was occasioned by a change of counsel adding that the apprehension exhibited by David Mark was unnecessary and uncalled for.
Justice Lifu said that the ADC national chairman and other defendants in the matter are at liberty to file counter affidavit against the amended originating summons to indicate consequential amendment to the earlier one.
The judge said that after perusing the whole objections of the defendants, he was unable to see where they would be overwhelmed or jeopardized if the amendment was granted.
Justice Lifu consequently dismissed the objections and allowed the amendment by the plaintiff. He imposed a fine of N500,000 on Mark and Aregbesola to be paid to Nafiu Bala Gombe.
David Mark and the National Secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, had kicked against the fresh attempt by Nafiu Bala Gombe
