Justice Jude Okeke of FCT High Court, Maitama, on
Tuesday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to pay N180
million to Mr. Samuel Okutepa (SAN) being his professional
fee.
Okeke who delivered judgment in a suit filed by Okutepa against
the PDP, said Okutepa deserved to be paid the money for handling
the cases for the party.
“The defendant is directed to pay the claimant N180 million
being the earned professional fee for defending and prosecuting
their cases listed out in the applicant’s statements of
claims.’’
The court also ordered PDP to pay N50, 000 to Okutepa for
successfully handling the cases.
The judge held that it was not right for the PDP not to pay for
the work they knew was well handled by the plaintiff.
He said that the defendant claimed that they did not give him
job to do, as no legal agreement was signed by the parties.
The judge said that in the records before the court, the
applicant was given the brief by the former Governor of Benue,
Gabriel Suswam, and the Attorney General of Benue.
He added that the constitution of PDP recognised a state
governor as a high officer who can give instructions on behalf of
the party.
“The instructions given to the applicant to handle the matter is
binding on the PDP.
” The defendant was aware that the applicant conducted the cases
and never questioned the instructions of the governor.
” The defendant kept quiet and benefited from his services,
permitted and encouraged him to labour only to claim that a legal
contract was not signed.
” The defendant is not in denial that the applicant did not
handle the cases, but they claimed they did not engage him, ” he
held.
Some of the cases handled by Okutepa were: Terver Kakih Vs PDP
and three others, three cases at the Court of Appeal and Supreme
Court, among others.
Justice Jude Okeke of FCT High Court, Maitama, on
Tuesday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to pay N180
million to Mr. Samuel Okutepa (SAN) being his professional
fee.
Okeke who delivered judgment in a suit filed by Okutepa against
the PDP, said Okutepa deserved to be paid the money for handling
the cases for the party.
“The defendant is directed to pay the claimant N180 million
being the earned professional fee for defending and prosecuting
their cases listed out in the applicant’s statements of
claims.’’
The court also ordered PDP to pay N50, 000 to Okutepa for
successfully handling the cases.
The judge held that it was not right for the PDP not to pay for
the work they knew was well handled by the plaintiff.
He said that the defendant claimed that they did not give him
job to do, as no legal agreement was signed by the parties.
The judge said that in the records before the court, the
applicant was given the brief by the former Governor of Benue,
Gabriel Suswam, and the Attorney General of Benue.
He added that the constitution of PDP recognised a state
governor as a high officer who can give instructions on behalf of
the party.
“The instructions given to the applicant to handle the matter is
binding on the PDP.
” The defendant was aware that the applicant conducted the cases
and never questioned the instructions of the governor.
” The defendant kept quiet and benefited from his services,
permitted and encouraged him to labour only to claim that a legal
contract was not signed.
” The defendant is not in denial that the applicant did not
handle the cases, but they claimed they did not engage him, ” he
held.
Some of the cases handled by Okutepa were: Terver Kakih Vs PDP
and three others, three cases at the Court of Appeal and Supreme
Court, among others.
Read more https://www.nairalaw.com/court-orders-pdp-to-pay-n180m-professional-fee-to-okutepa-san/