There was a mild drama in Court on Tuesday as two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) struggled to win the brief of a factional Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Jonah Jang of Plateau state.
Paul Erokoro and Tayo Oyetibo both told the court that Governor Jang had briefed them of his case to defend his faction of the NGF in the suit filed by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola urging the court to stop him from parading himself as the chairman of the forum.
The suit was instituted by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, who was represented in court on Tuesday by a team of lawyers led by Yemi Osinbajo and Femi Falana, both Senior Advocates. The Director General of the NGF, Asishana Okauru, was represented by Awa Kalu.
Mr Fashola wants the court to bar the Plateau governor from parading himself as the NGF chairman. Mr Jang had lost the chairmanship election in May to Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers by 16 votes to 19. He, however, rejected the result and instead proclaimed himself chairman of the forum.
The court was thrown into confusion when both Messrs Oyetibo and Erokoro filed different processes asking the court to throw out the lawsuit.
To save the time of the court, counsel to the registered trustees of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Awa kalu prayed the court for a short adjournment, to enable the two senior advocates sort themselves out.
The trial judge, Justice Peter Affen, adjourned the matter to 3 July for regularization of appearances.