Lawyers for Atiku request that the CCB stop looking into Keyamo’s petition

Such a petition by a party to a connected lawsuit, in Ozekhome’s opinion, is unacceptable since it can be considered an abuse of the judicial system.

Atiku Abubakar’s attorneys have urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to end its investigation into the petition filed by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, against their client. Atiku is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Keyamo filed the same matter with the Federal High Court in Abuja, according to a letter from the chief lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, dated April 7, 2023, written to the bureau and seen by Channels Television. Ozekhome said that this means the case is already in progress.

According to him, it is “extremely unacceptable” for a party to a lawsuit to engage in extrajudicial activity or any other course of action that could be construed as undermining the legitimacy and independence of the court.

Ozekhome contends that such conduct is unacceptable since it might go beyond what the law allows.

“Our client — through us — swiftly replied by filing a Statement of Defence as well as a Preliminary Objection thereto after being served with the originating process in the said suit,” the letter stated.

For your review and assistance, copies of both processes are attached. In other words, the Plaintiff and our client’s case has concerns that have been properly joined. Thus, the case is currently under consideration.

“You will understand our amazement when you read in the media that Mr. Keyamo supposedly reacted to the invitation of your honorable Bureau purportedly to clarify his concerns to the Bureau, which were made long before and served as the fundamental foundation of his ongoing lawsuit, as previously stated.

Our justifications are simple: It is very unacceptable for a party to a lawsuit to engage in any extrajudicial actions or to begin any course of conduct that is either equivalent to or intended to undercut the legitimacy and independence of the court, which is dominus litis over the proceedings.

Such actions are equally unacceptable and condemnable. It is strongly discouraged by legal authorities as it may overstep the bounds of the court, the other party (our client), and impose a predetermined outcome. Despite being ex facie curiae, it actually smells like contempt of court.

He thus pleaded with the bureau to advise and direct Keyamo to carry out his ongoing legal action against Atiku to its natural conclusion and to avoid from intervening in the subject matter of Keyamo’s petition.