Legal battle began yesterday on the festering factional crisis rocking the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with an Ado-Ekiti High Court ordering service of court processes on the factional loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose.
The court also ordered substituted service on the PDP National Secretariat through the state chapter of the party.
The suit was instituted by Tunde Olatunde, Tope Aluko, Afolayan Akutupu, Tunji Olanrewaju, Mrs. Busola Oyebode, Ganiyu Bankole and Femi Ogunleye.
Defendants are PDP (first) , Idowu Faleye (second), Kola Kolade (third), Ajibola Samuel (fourth), Sina Animasaun (fifth), Mrs. Lanre Fajuyi, (sixth), Kola Lawal (seventh), Babade Ige (eighth), Lateef Agbaje (ninth) and Ayo Ogungbuyi (10th).
The second defendant is the chairman of the faction loyal to Fayose. The third to tenth defendants are members of a Disciplinary Committee, which recommended suspension and expulsion of four members of the State Working Committee (SWC).
The four SWC members, who were pronounced expelled for alleged anti-party activities, are Olatunde (acting chairman), Aluko (secretary), Olanrewaju (auditor) and Mrs. Oyebode (women leader).
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye heard a motion ex-parte moved by counsel to the claimants/applicants, Oluwatobi Fatoki.
The motion was supported by a 10-paragraph affidavit and supported by a written address brought pursuant to Sections 96 and 97 of the Sheriff Act and Order 7 Rule 5 (a) of Ekiti State High Court Civil Procedure Rule.
After the motion was moved by Fatoki, Justice Ogunmoye granted the claimants/applicants leave to issue originating summons and other processes filed in the suit on the first defendant (PDP) in Abuja, which is outside the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Ogunmoye also granted an order of substituted service of the originating summons and all other processes to be filed in the action on PDP through Ekiti State Chapter at No 161, Ureje, Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti.
The judge further granted an order of substituted service on the second to 10th defendants since personal service on them might be difficult for the claimants/applicants.
He held that since the application was ex-parte, the facts therein remained incontrovertible and they were granted after being carefully and dispassionately considered.
Parties in the suit are expected back in court on October 14.
The nation
