Nigeria Air: Chief Judge Reverses Decision To Hear Suit in Abuja

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has reversed the decision to transfer the suit filed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) against Nigeria Air to Abuja, citing fundamental flaw in judgement given by Justice Omotosho.

Justice Tsoho asserted that counsel to Nigeria Air concealed some facts which rendered the judgement to transfer the case to Abuja null and void.

The letter emanating from the Chief Judge’s Chambers and addressed to Dr. Alex A. Izinyam, resolved that the matter was now to continue in the Federal High Court (FHC) Lagos

The letter Re: Judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023 between the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria & 5 ORS V. J.T.Tsoho, drew their attention to the non-disclosure by the counsel’s clients that there was a pending motion for the transfer of the case, while making an administrative application to the same effect.

The letter, signed by the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR, read: “Please refer to your letter dated 4th May, 2023 on the above subject matter. It has reported delivery of Judgment in the aforementioned suit by Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho on 27th April, 2023, dismissing the said suit for lack of a cause of action and abuse of court process.

“The Plaintiffs in the said suit challenged the 1st defendant, J.T. Tsoho – Chief Judge of the Federal High Court) who acted in his Judicial capacity by transferring Suit No. FHC/LICS/2159/2022 from Lagos to Abuja Judicial Division.

“While noting the dismissal of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023, may I humbly draw your attention to my earlier letter addressed to you, dated 9 March, 2023, particularly to paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 thereof regarding Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1999/2022. This is to the effect that non-disclosure by your clients that there was a pending motion for the transfer of the case, while making an administrative application to the same effect, rendered the application fundamentally flawed.

“As a result, I resolved to reverse the transfer of the case, but for the pendency of Suit No. FHCIABJ/CS/271/2023.

“Therefore, following the dismissal of Suit No. FHC,ABJ/CS/271/2023 by Hon. Justice Omotosho, the transfer of Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2159/2022 is hereby cancelled. Accordingly, the case file in respect of the said suit is hereby remitted to the Federal High Court, Lagos for hearing and determination of the pending application for transfer by Hon. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.”

Chinedu Eze

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