By Emmanuel Kwada
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be served a hearing notice after the party failed to appear or send legal representation in a ₦10 million nomination fee refund suit filed by former aspirant Sunny Moniedafe.
In the suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/2434/2024, Moniedafe is demanding a refund of the ₦10 million he paid for a Nomination Form to contest the position of APC Deputy National Chairman (North) during the party’s National Convention on March 26, 2022.
Moniedafe alleges that the APC leadership, under then-President Muhammadu Buhari, urged aspirants to step down after reaching a consensus to allocate the position to a candidate from Borno State in the North-East geopolitical zone. Buhari reportedly assured aspirants who complied that their nomination fees would be refunded.
The leadership of the defendant reneged on its promise and blatantly refused, failed, and neglected to refund the said ₦10 million
“Disappointingly, the leadership of the defendant reneged on its promise and blatantly refused, failed, and neglected to refund the said ₦10 million from March 2022 to the time of filing this case, despite repeated demands by me,” Moniedafe stated in his suit.
At the court session on Monday, Moniedafe and his lawyer, Okoi Obono-Obla, were present, but the APC was neither represented nor present.
The defendant is not in court and not represented
Justice Yusuf Halilu noted, “The defendant is not in court and not represented.” While acknowledging the APC’s statement of defence, the judge pointed out the lack of proof that the plaintiff had been served with it, stating, “I can see no proof of service here.”
Justice Halilu ordered the court registrar to expedite the process by serving the APC with a hearing notice and relevant documents. The court also granted an application by the APC for an extension of time.
“The application filed by the defendant seeking an extension of time is hereby moved and granted,” Halilu ruled.
Obono-Obla assured the court of prompt response, stating, “My lord, we are very diligent. If we are served, we will respond immediately.”
We are very diligent. If we are served, we will respond immediately
The case has been adjourned to July 15, 2025, to confirm whether the APC has been served the hearing notice and to proceed with the hearing.
This development comes amid other APC-related news, including President Tinubu’s endorsement for the 2027 elections sparking debates, the party setting FCT Area Council chairmanship forms at ₦20 million, and divisions within the Ekiti APC over Governor Oyebanji’s second-term endorsement.
The outcome of Moniedafe’s suit could set a precedent for accountability within the ruling party’s internal processes.
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