A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Cyriacus Njoku, who is in court over the presumed presidential ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, has said he has not withdrawn or opted for an out of court settlement of the matter.
In a statement by his lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, Njoku said he had been approached by concerned members of the PDP but he was yet to take a position.
The statement by Ugochukwu reads: “I, on behalf of my client, Prof. Cyriacus Njoku, wish to deny and debunk misleading reports by some electronic and print media that my client withdrew his suit against President Goodluck Jonathan and two others pending before Justice M. Oniyangi of FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
“It is also erroneous to allege that my client proposed an out of court settlement. In fact it was the other way round.
“What happened in court was that prior to court sitting our client was approached by some emissaries claiming to be PDP top shots from Zuba chapter proposing out of court settlement between Dr. Goodluck jonathan and my client since both parties are members of PDP and that they want to seek PDP internal settlement.
“My client still went on with his case on Wednessday and in fact opposed the application of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for extension of time to file his memorandum of appearance, counter affidavit and notice of preliminary objection with a counter affidavit and written address. However, plaintiff counsel cited Order 12 rule 1 of the FCT High Court Rules and the decision of the Supreme Court in MOBIL OIL PRODUCING NIGERIA LTD. v. LASEPA (2003) FWLR [pt. 137] 1029 urging the court to strike out the entire processes filed by the 1st defendant.
“The court graciously agreed with my arguments and with the counsel to 1st defendant failing to convince the court with a better authority to save his client, the court struck out 1st defendant’s application.
“It was after this incident that the court then adjourned to May 30 to enable the plaintiff and the 1st defendant to look at the offer of settlement being kited by the said emissaries from PDP. And that parties shall return back to court to continue with the hearing on May 30. The suit was NEVER WITHDRAWN. That is the fact of the matter as happened on April 18, 2012.”