A High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered that a hearing notice be properly served on the All Progressives Congress (APC) after it failed to appear in court for proceedings connected to a refund claim filed by one of its former aspirants.
Sunny Moniedafe, a former candidate for APC Deputy National Chairman (North), is seeking a refund of ₦10 million for a nomination form for the party’s 2022 national convention. The lawsuit is identified as FCT/HC/CV/2434/2024.
Moniedafe explained that he had purchased the document in preparation for the APC National Convention on March 26, 2022.
However, the party leadership, led by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, agreed on a candidate from Borno State in the North-East zone to fill the position.
He further stated that all other applicants were instructed to withdraw, with the assurance that those who did so would be compensated.
He stated: “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.”
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Moniedafe and his legal representative, Okoi Obono-Obla, attended Monday’s session. However, no one appeared on behalf of the APC, either personally or through legal representation.
The case’s presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, voiced alarm about the party’s failure to appear. “The defendant is not in court and is not represented,” the judge stated.
He also observed the lack of proof of service, despite the fact that a defence statement had already been filed with the court. “I can see no proof of service here,” Justice Halilu stated, urging the registrar to act quickly by alerting APC’s legal counsel and ensuring them obtain any relevant court documents.
In answer, Obono-Obla responded, “My Lord, we are extremely vigilant. If we are served, we will respond right away.”
The judge also reviewed the APC’s demand for extra time to respond. “The application filed by the defendant seeking an extension of time is hereby moved and granted,” the court found.
He then scheduled a hearing on July 15, 2025, to determine if the APC was properly served with the hearing notice.
