Judges back out of PDP crisis case over bribery allegations

The panel of judges expected to hear the case of PDP factional candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, on Tuesday, November 1, has backed out of the case over allegations of bribery.

Jegede, who emerged as the party's candidate in the election from the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee had appealed the court ruling in favour of Jimoh Ibrahim, who is the candidate of the embattled PDP Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff.

The Federal High Court ruling had ordered the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) to recognise Ibrahim as the party's true candidate in the November 26 governorship election - INEC complied with the order.

But Jegede had assured that the Appeal Court would overturn the ruling.

The panel, instead, announced its decision to pull out of the case after the state PDP Chairman of Sheriff's faction, Biyi Okporoye, accused the judges of taking bribe.

Okporoye made the accusation in a petition addressed to the president of the Appeal Court, Zainab Bulkachuwa.

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According to Sankey, the panel learnt about the bribery accusation on Monday, October 31, adding that Okporoye also copied the National Judicial Commission (NJC) in the petition.

The panel head said the case has been handed back to Bulkachuwa for re-assignment.